None of the CSK fans would have forgotten July, 2015. It was when Chennai Super Kings was banned for two years. Undoubtedly, it was a black day for all the Chennai fans. The news hurt them the most and it turned out to be the most mourned day of every CSKian out there.
None of them would have thought that there could possibly be a day again, which will hurt them like never before.
The Hurtful Setback
The effects of the ban did not just stop with the fans. But, it also badly affected the adopted son of the soil. Take no moment to guess who it was. Who else could it be, other than our very own Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
With MSD, the face of Chennai Super Kings for the first eight seasons, moving on to some other franchise and becoming its face for the ninth season was just not happening. This was also evident with his performance in those two years with the franchise.
Those were the off days. Even a G.O.A.T like MSD was seen as a Scapegoat.
Definitely, those off days are to be forgotten by both MS and his fans.
The Dream Comeback
The return of the lions was always on the cards. But, whether they can continue to rule the IPL charts remained the biggest question. With the kind of squad that was picked, the question was always there in everyone’s mind. But, the doubts flew away in just one incident.
The incident which revealed the intent of MS, to win it this time, for the fans.
”The two years, that we were not part of IPL, our Fans stood by us, and our fan following actually increased. Those were the toughest times. I feel I was waiting for this time, so that we’d come together!
Rest, as they say is history. For me, the defining captures of the come-back season had been the following two pictures.
Capture 1 – The usual subtle celebration of MS after lifting the trophy for the third time. I don’t know about other CSK fans, but the thumbs up meant the world to me.
Capture 2 – Running out of words to describe this one.
For the fans, after a long wait of 2 years, the Super Kings presented us with this gift, which was truly worth the wait. Showing everyone that, Coming back and winning the Cup is the
Mahi way! Deal with it!
The Shattered Hope
With the kind of comeback the lions made in 2018, it was not easy for any CSKian to remain calm before the storm (IPL 2019). We had hoped for history to repeat itself. Those consecutive wins in the year 2010 & 2011 was what we were hoping for.
Was it too much to ask with the sort of players we had in the squad?
Leaving the form/age factor aside, the doubt was persistent because of the fitness level of the players. Believe it or not, but nobody in the CSK team was 100 percent fit. The scenario continued throughout the season. Now and then, someone had to miss a game or underperform in the field.
No matter what, every CSKian still believed that this team can still make it happen again. The sole reason was just one man, and he is the Magnificent Mahendraaaa.
He almost lived up to the beliefs of the Chennai people by taking the team to the Finals, yet again. Remember, that debatable run-out of him in the Finals? If only he had stayed there till the end, the results would have been completely different.
The IPL 2019 Finals turned out to be another black day. This time, it was even darker than the previous one for we believed, all the humiliation ended during July, 2015. But, it wasn’t. Blame the fate for that.
This defeat will not just go down as a hurt, but will stay as a scar forever and ever.
While the comeback season had its defining captures, this season’s defining captures were unacceptable.
Mahi, in the post-match presentation said with a hearty smile, “Someone has to win.” Being a sportsman, he understands that in a game, only one can win. But for fans, it is always a tough pill to swallow. For us, it was never ‘someone’ and we always want the lions to roar and win every time, period.
The ‘anbuden’ home and its lions were haunted and hunted by the hyenas. In short, our hopes were shattered!
The Awaited Redemption
The lions, who are known for their comebacks know that the payback time is not too far.
They will teach the hyenas who is the real king of the jungle. All we have to do is just wait for the return of Simba.
With the WC being the last big tournament for MS. Doubts of whether MSD will play in the next season or not are natural, but MSD will want to end his career on a high note. And, to go by that, he will return to the ‘anbuden’ to finish it off in style for one last time.
Does he still have what it takes to lift the trophy?
A simple reply to such questions.
Just like I said before, coming back and winning is Mahi way.
Once a king. Always a king!
Always a proud CSKian!
Credits: S Sai Vasudev
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