“After Thala’s near-heist, there is a debate between MS Dhoni and Tendulkar regarding who has more craze and fan base.”

With a particularly effective blow, Defabet Login turned back the clock and captivated the crowd late on Sunday night. Dhoni’s unbeaten 37 from 16 in his first batting appearance since winning the IPL trophy as captain last season sent fans crazy around the world, even though Chennai Super Kings was well out of the chase after Delhi Capitals’ outstanding bowling display in the middle overs. A fierce fan debate broke out on social media in response to the old-fashioned jab, with many asserting that Dhoni has now “surpassed Sachin Tendulkar in terms of craze and fanbase.”

Delhi recovered from Ajinkya Rahane’s 45-run knock in the 192-run chase, thanks to the likes of Ishant Sharma, Anrich Nortje, and Mukesh Kumar tormenting CSK with cutters and wide yorkers, and Axar Patel toting an economical three-over spell in.

Nevertheless, Dhoni came up big in his opening IPL 2024 innings, hitting two boundaries in the first three balls he faced off against My 11 Circle Apk. In the following over, he floated a six over extra cover against Khaleel. However, he saved his best for the very last over, when he crushed Nortje for 20 runs, including two sixes and an equal number of boundaries, sending the audience into a frenzy.

This season’s home ground for the Delhi Capitals was supposed to be the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. However, during that special knock on Sunday evening, a sea of yellow, wearing the iconic No. 7 jersey, invaded the venue and chanted “Dhoni-Dhoni.” A fierce online debate broke out between supporters who believed that Dhoni’s following surpassed that of former India captain Sachin Tendulkar. Here are a few responses.

Dhoni still regards Sachin as his hero betway, regardless of what the supporters may think. During a CSK function last year, Dhoni acknowledged, saying: “I used to watch him play when I was your age and I always thought I wanted to play like him but couldn’t.” He was my childhood cricket idol, and I secretly dreamed of being like him.”

In the meantime, Sachin talked about the day he suggested Dhoni for India skipper after BCCI had offered him the position in 2007 at a Jio Cinema conversation prior to the start of the IPL 2024 opener at Chepauk. He stated: “My body was in terrible shape when the BCCI offered me captaincy in 2007.” I made excellent notes about MS Dhoni. He makes sound decisions and has an extremely stable mind. He is also calm and instinctive. I suggested he take over as captain. The rest is still in the past. Before leading the team to the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, Dhoni guided India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup that year.