The seasoned spinner Harbhajan Singh has discussed his time playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.
The former cricketer-turned-commentator noted that when the squad travelled to Chepauk by bus for the first time prior to the season, a sizable crowd showed up. It seemed like they had won the World Cup, he said.
Harbhajan said in a statement to Star Sports
“A lot of emotions were involved. I still remember the bus ride when we went to Chepauk. The crowd was so big that it felt like we had already won the trophy. There was a sense of joy as Chennai Super Kings were set to return to the competition.
“The love that we received from the fans was unbelievable. It felt like we had won the World Cup, and the tournament hadn’t even started at that point. That’s when I realized that these fans are very different.”
Harbhajan joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) for ten years before being acquired by CSK for two crores prior to the 2018 season. The seasoned fighter finished with an economy rate of 8.48 after taking seven victims from 13 games.
The MS Dhoni-led team had an incredible IPL comeback, winning their third title. In the summit match, CSK defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets while chasing down a target of 179.
He said that even though the team was known as “Dad’s army,” they set an example for others by winning the competition:
“Everyone called us Dad’s Army, wondering what kind of team CSK have made. Imran Tahir and I were 38 years old and MS Dhoni was also close to our age. Then there were the likes of Shane Watson. But Dad’s Army showed kids how cricket is played. T20 cricket is all about experience.”
Imran Tahir, a leg spinner from South Africa who participated in the conversation, talked about his time playing for CSK. He recounted how over 25,000 spectators would fill the stadium merely to watch the team practice.
“Those memories are very special to me. I didn’t expect to see 25 thousand people turn up for a practice session. Everyone was chanting for MS Dhoni. I was taken aback seeing all that,” Tahir said.
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