WATCH: MS Dhoni takes sly dig at CSK youngster Rajvardhan Hangargekar over his no-ball issue

Thanks to their charismatic captain MS Dhoni, who has been in charge since 2008, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are without a doubt one of the most popular teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Numerous fresh batches of cricketers have come and gone over the years, playing for Dhoni’s team. Since the first season of the T20 competition began 16 years ago, Dhoni has remained the “constant”.  Dhoni, who is going to turn 42 years old this year, has the ability to make young players feel at ease off the pitch and get the most out of them on the pitch.

Rajvardhan Hangargekar who was part of the under-19 World Cup winning squad last year started the event. He said, “Good evening everyone. Very happy to be here. As Mahi Bhaiya said, Ki jitna jyada hum iss event ko fun kar sakte hai, acha hasi mazak mein rakh sakte hai, utna try karenge, aur let’s see.”

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is one of the wittiest people in the cricket industry and had a cheeky reply to Hangargekar’s opening statement. He said, “Basically bol raha hai koi iske no-ball ke baare mein baat nahi karega (Basically he is saying, no one will talk about his no balls).”

Dhoni had recently become upset with his bowler’s inability to focus on the pitch. Dhoni warned his bowlers during a match against the Lucknow Super Giants that they would be forced to play with a new captain if they failed to manage wide and no-ball balls. In six overs so far for CSK, the 20-year-old bowled six wide deliveries and one no-ball. In the most recent game against Mumbai Indians, he wasn’t included in the starting lineup. 

During the press-conference after the second game against Delhi Capitals, Dhoni said that, “They’ll have to bowl no no-balls or extra wides. Or they’ll have to play under a new captain. It will be my second warning, and then I’ll be off.”