MS Dhoni pays tribute to CSK: ‘Thala’ is a big nickname they have given me

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, May 2

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s fans have given the cricketer a new nickname: ‘Thala’, which means head or leader in Tamil. 

Dhoni has been given several nicknames: Captain cool, Mahi, MSD, etc. 

Dhoni at the post-match presentation ceremony said: "I have always said it's very special to get that kind of a nickname. It's a big nickname that they have given me. It feels really special. I didn't realise that it was part of the first CSK song.”

The name #Thala is very special and I'm thankful to the fans for the love bestowed on me 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZN9VTUe0vM

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1 May 2019

He continued: "The way I got accepted and the whole of Tamil Nadu - whenever they see me they don't call my name, they call me 'Thala'. It's feels very special and they have always supported not only me but the whole team." 

The @ChennaiIPL thanking their fans at the #AnbuDen 🙏🙏 with a victory lap. pic.twitter.com/SRlFHSTzSk

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 1 May 2019

Since, it was the final home game for Chennai Super Kings, the players along with Dhoni, made sure to thank the crowd in a special way as they took a lap of the stadium and distributed goodies like autographed tennis balls and t-shirts in the crowd.

Dhoni was instrumental in the win for CSK as he smashed 44 not out off just 22 balls including two boundaries and two sixes to propel his team to 179 for 4 after they were put into bat first.

Dhoni's deputy Suresh Raina, who is also nicknamed ‘Chinna Thana’, which means junior head or leader, top-scored with 59 off 37 balls while Faf du Plessis contributed with 39 runs.