Straight Outta Chepauk: First Stadium Experience

My first stadium experience turned out to be insanely amazing that even after 12hrs, I'm still reminiscing the game.

So here are my few observations of the amazing night.

1. The 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 yesterday was when Ravindra Jadeja wicket fell that lead to the entry of the demigod MS Dhoni. Crowd including me were quite literally praying for either of the wickets after 16th over to see MS bat. Thanks Jaddu, Bishnoi.

2. While MS's entry song was '𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 ', Jadeja's entry song was 'Thirai thee pudikkum'. Personally felt, MS with Thirai Thee Pidikkum would have been more apt as crowd literally went berserk.

3. The two sixes of Dhoni was an absolute 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗹 moment. He lasted just around 5 minutes and that were the best 5 minutes of the night.

4. MS is the 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴(like there's no time difference between collecting and dislodging the bails) and got to witness one even if it was not an actual dismissal. And the zinger bails lighting up was quite a spectacle in night game.

5. We were in lower stands that meant we had close proximity to the boundary fielders. While most of them were reluctant to look at the fans inorder to retain focus, Dube was 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲 , smile and send a flying kiss to the fans.

6. The reluctance reduced towards the latter part of the innings as Jadeja and Santner waved at the audience after 15-16 overs. It must be highly tempting to avoid the 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀. How do they do it!?

7. Jadeja, Stokes, Santner and Ruturaj(except for the overthrow) were 𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 yesterday who pounced towards the ball in no time like a leopard chasing it's prey.

8. While several sixes were hit yesterday, 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽 six that landed in second tier was an incredible wow moment. To quote my friend, he hit the reverse sweep six as good as a right hand batsman.

9. We witnessed the catch practice of LSG before the game. Stoinis is one of the 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 who didn't drop even a single one while Kyle Mayers had a tough time during the session as he dropped quite a few.

10. Coming to the elephant in the room, the 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 as the notable number of seats were empty yesterday. Donno the reason but it was ironic as some people were yesterday looking for black tickets at the 11th hour outside the stadium.

11. Bowling is tough and 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 in this modern format. Barring Bishnoi, Santner, Ali, all the others were taken to cleaners despite bowling tight line and length. Feel for them.

12. CSK winning, run feast, Dhoni's sixes, Gambhir's grumpy face and Dhoni's catch. All in all, 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 that I will treasure this experience forever.

Thank you, MS.

#IPL2023 #MSDhoni