Chennai ready to 'rock' CSK's homecoming

April 18, 2010, Dharamsala: [Irfan] Pathan to Dhoni, SIX, and Dhoni has carried Chennai through. Length ball again, and Dhoni has hit another huge blistering six over wide long-on. And he is pumped. He has won many big matches in his career, but I have never seen him so pumped. Punches himself in the jaw, like a boxer. The Chennai team, behind Chawla at long-off, rushes through the fielder to congratulate Dhoni.

Arguably, MS Dhoni's turbo-charged blitz and equally turbo-charged celebrations in a knockout match against Kings XI Punjab would be among the favourite moments for a Chennai Super Kings fan. Super Kings needed 29 off the last two overs but Dhoni finished the chase like a boss and put his team in the semi-finals. Super Kings pressed onto claim their first title that season. Five years later, Super Kings - along with Rajasthan Royals - were suspended for two years after a match-fixing probe.

Super Kings are back and how. They enjoyed a thrilling return after three years, stunning defending champions Mumbai Indians at their backyard. The occasion is only going to get grander at what is expected to be a packed MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Talking about Super Kings' return at an event, the usually poker-faced Dhoni became teary-eyed and said: "What's important is we go through everything with a smile on your face (long pause). What's next is what is important for us. We're back! We're back!"

Dhoni has always enjoyed a special relationship with Chennai. The rare occasions he has expressed discontent or delight, at post-match press conferences, it has been when in yellow. "It was a very emotional moment for me, because franchise cricket is also professional cricket, " Dhoni had said after the Dharamsala heist in 2010.

Super Kings' recent practice sessions at home provided a precursor to Tuesday's main event. About 20,000 people turned up to watch an intra-squad practice game and the side even travelled in an open-top bus for a training session, sending fans into a frenzy.

The franchise's promotions centered around superstar Rajinikanth 's mass - a colloquialism referring to swag - have also perked up the fans further. Rajinikanth himself has used the big occasion for political mileage, asking Super Kings players and fans to wear black armbands to show solidarity with the protests calling for the quick formation of a board to resolve the water dispute between Tamil Nadu and neighbours Karnataka. Everyone wants a piece of Super Kings' homecoming.

The starting price of a ticket this season in Chennai is INR 1300 (USD 20) - INR 550 more than the cheapest ticket when MA Chidambaram Stadium last hosted an IPL game, in 2015. However, the buzz around Super Kings' return has swelled to a crescendo that all tickets have been sold out.

Michael Hussey, who played for Super Kings from 2008 to 2013 before returning in 2015 following a season with Mumbai Indians and now batting coach of the side, talked up the homecoming and the enormous support from the fans.

"I have to say...the fans here in Chennai are the most passionate fans I have experienced in my entire life," Hussey said on the eve of the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. "It's been incredible the support we have received. To see so many fans come for our training, wanting to see the players is a bonus all the way. It's been well documented as to how the fans mean to us in the team. We have a family feel in the team and the fans are very much part of it. We feel the support we get is just phenomenal. MS is very much invested in this team and loves this team. After a [team] dinner, he did get emotional [about CSK's return] and it shows how much it means to him. We understand that this place is going to rock tomorrow night."

After winning the toss against Mumbai on Saturday, Dhoni said Super Kings' emotions were in control. On Tuesday night, the emotions could run wild in front of a partisan crowd that has waited nearly three years to watch Dhoni and his boys in yellow.