By Zainab Shafiq 
The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is off to a thrilling start, with plenty of excitement and drama in the first few games. While there have been many highs and lows for the franchises, one aspect of the tournament that has stood out the most is the return of the legendary Chennai Super Kings skipper, MS Dhoni.
After losing their season opener to Gujarat Titans, the Super Kings made their much-awaited return to the MA Chidambaram Stadium for their second game. The fans were eager to see the four-time champions in action once more, and they were not disappointed.
Playing against the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai batted first and got off to a good start thanks to excellent knocks by the opening batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. However, it was the arrival of skipper MS Dhoni towards the end of the first innings that stole the show.
Dhoni came in to bat and hit back-to-back sixes in the 20th over of the first innings, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The online streaming partner of the IPL 2023, JioCinema, also registered a record 1.7 crore viewers watching the live stream. It was clear that Dhoni’s return had sparked a renewed sense of excitement and passion among the fans.
Following their victory over Lucknow, the Chennai Super Kings will now prepare for a thrilling clash against their arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians, on April 8. The four-time champions have won one game and lost another in the tournament so far, with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad proving to be a standout player for the Yellow Army. He is currently one of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous game. Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, the five-time champions will be hoping to secure their first win of the season when they take on Chennai.
MS Dhoni’s return has undoubtedly stolen the show in the IPL 2023 so far. With his trademark style and leadership skills, he has once again captured the hearts of cricket fans across India and beyond. The upcoming clash between the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians promises to be a thrilling encounter, and fans can’t wait to see what other surprises the tournament has in store.