India cricketer and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made an appearance at a Tamil Nadu Premier League match in Tirunelveli on Saturday.
Wearing a yellow polo, the same colour of his CSK jersey, Dhoni walked onto the pitch for the toss during the match between Madurai Panthers and Kovai Kings.
In the middle, he started by saying ‘Vanakkam’ in Tamil.
What brings me here is the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), of course, to start off. Every time I play IPL, I learn Tamil and once the tournament ends I have to start from scratch again. I will make sure that by next edition of IPL, I’ll learn a bit of Tamil.MS Dhoni
Dhoni said Tirunelveli was a special place for him as India Cements was started in the city. India Cements is the company owned by N Srinivasan, former BCCI President who owned Chennai Super Kings before the betting controversy surrounding his son-in-law.
This season, making a comeback to the IPL after serving a two year suspension, Chennai Super Kings were led to the title by MS Dhoni.
This is a special place, this is where India Cements started. I have been with them (India Cements) for a long time so, this gives me an opportunity to come and see the first Plant over here.MS Dhoni
Dhoni also said he comes down to watch a few TNPL games every season, adding that the conditions at the ICL ground in Tirunelveli were challenging.
"Along with that, every year I come down and watch a few games of the TNPL, this is the first game I will be watching this year in person. Looks like challenging conditions here with the kind of breeze blowing," he added.
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