'A match made in heaven', the intertwining of destinies, an ode to MS Dhoni, and a story to cherish for his fans:- Chennai and its Thala!

 

            17^th July 1996, the day when the erstwhile Madras was rechristened to Chennai. The city was starting from square one after erasing the final vestiges of British Colonialism. It marked the starting point of a sojourn towards creating a new identity.

             Going about 1600 kms north, an unassuming 16 year old, at around the same time, was slowly becoming the regular wicket-keeper for the Commando Cricket Club, thus erasing the final vestiges of his identity as a goal-keeper and starting from square one, a sojourn towards creating a new identity.

                A new start it was for Chennai, the mushrooming of new leaders in the city, the blossoming of the IT sector in and out of the city, the impetus towards engineering that complimented the industrial environment in the city, Chennai was slowly and steadily punching above its weight and making waves within the county.

                And so was it for the boy in Ranchi, despite all the scrutiny that he received for his unorthodox keeping and batting, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was well and truly making waves across the country with his consistent performances for the Jharkand team and India A. He came through the grinds slogging it out and finally an international cap was not far away from the corner.

                26^th December 2004, an eerie day in the history of India, more so in Tamil Nadu and Chennai, a Tsunami of inconceivable proportions wiped out the entire city of Chennai apart from several other parts of India. A disaster that threatened to crumble the identity, that the city had worked so hard to create.

                 3 days before prior to this, on the 23^rd of December 2004, the world came crashing down for MS Dhoni, as his happiness was shortlived in his debut, when he got out for 0. It didn’t stop there. Even after all this, Dhoni put his feet firmly down and carefully created an identity for himself, which enabled him to earn a spot in the team for the 2007 WC. But as fate would have it, the whole Indian team along with Dhoni had a dismal tournament. Effigies were burnt, stones were pelted, an identity that he so diligently created was being crumbled before his own eyes.

 

                    4 months later, a chance for redemption beckoned MSD. As most of the senior members opted out of the then test tube experiment called T20 World Cup, the captaincy hat was thrown to the enigma from Ranchi. On 24^th September 2007, he would make that hat his crown, as he led India to a glorious victory in the finals versus Pakistan. Effigies were garlanded, pelting of stones was replaced by showering of flowers, in a span of 5 months, the turnaround that Dhoni orchestrated was more stunning than a triple backflip on the trot.

                    Then the two entities met, and it was love at first sight. Chennai needed a poster boy, and Dhoni needed a companion,  it was a match made in heaven. The things the two went on to achieve from that point were unbelievable. Chennai became the second home for scores of people, because of MSD, and he had a few years where everything he touched became gold. IPL titles, Champions league, World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, No 1. Test team, Best wicketkeeper, Best finisher, Best middle order batter, Best captain, and still this list is non-exhaustive!

 

                    Everything looked perfect for the dream catcher, the destiny’s child, call him whatever you wish. Then 2015 happened. India loses the WC semi finals (and its startling how people 5 years before now, asked Dhoni about his retirement!)

And boom! Chennai Super Kings, the crossroad that united Chennai and Dhoni was banned from the IPL for 2 years. The journey towards achieving the unheard of , got a reality check. There was a halt, fans waited with bated breath, while others shrugged away saying, well that’s it, that’s a full stop.

 

                    Those two years were unimaginably terrible and took a heavy toll on both. Chennai was hit with a flood in 2015, again threatening to push the city to the wall, while its Thala averaged just 27.80 in 2016, the worst ever since his debut year(2004). For the first time in the history of IPL, a team led by Dhoni didn’t qualify for the IPL playoffs. Dhoni also gave away captaincy for India, despite him being the only captain till now who has won all the ICC trophies. It looked like the end, but no, it was the beginning of a new chapter.

 

                    “Thirumbi vanthuten nu sollu”. The words were etched in the memory of every CSK fan, as it became the tagline for the reunion of Chennai and Dhoni in 2018. Dhoni was having a poor time in international cricket. His average hit its nadir in that year, which was worse than 2016. Chennai Super Kings were written off and termed ‘the dad's army’, A fullstop it should have been, but no, it was a comma. Chennai Super Kings returned with aplomb to take home a 3^rd IPL title.

                    The year following that in 2019, Dhoni averaged 60, and CSK went on to qualify for another IPL final, only to lose heartbreakingly in the final against their nemesis. The world cup happened, India rolled on to the semifinals where they were tormented by the New-Zealand. Dhoni stood in there, plugged in, amidst all the chaos happening at the other end, and scored a valiant 50, before a fateful Martin Guptill throw would find Dhoni an inch short of his crease.

 

                     The circle was complete now, a career that began with a runout on 0, ended with another on 50(which was also his average).  A career that began with a Tsunami and ended with a pandemic.

 

IPL 2020, will be an emotional roller-coaster, because for one last time Dhoni will come out on the ground, marshalling his troops, and carrying the burden of hopes of million Chennai fans. And it is one final chance for Cricket to give a fitting finish to the man who has finished many a match in style.

Chennai will roar for its Thala, for one last time, but the Thala will be horizons across in UAE, quietly getting the job done, so that CSK can roar again.

 

 

 Thank you Dhoni.

Pranaav S.

Dog

                                              Dog

"This is the best thing that could happen just after quarantine Janani." Raghav said as soon as her lips parted from his. Janani lay on him, while he lay on the plywood floor of his 1BHK apartment, located in the outskirts of the city.

"So is this the answer to the question i had asked you this morning?" Raghav questioned.

"Look Raghav, I neither have a reason to accept you nor do i have a reason to reject you. Whichever comes first I'll do that.

And this....

Well, I just wanted to see you, so I came; and, I wanted to kiss you so I did. 

At the moment there is nothing more and nothing less. Don't try to find meaning out of this." Janani explained, placing her handbag, studded with glittery beads on the couch. 

"Well did you eat something?" Janani asked.

" Will you cook with me?" Raghav answered back with a question.

They both were forced into a candle light dinner by the electricity board of the city.

"Raghav you know what, it was fun cooking with you, and by the way, what is the tastiest dish you have ever eaten?"  Janani asked him with a mouthful of noodles.

"The tastiest dish i have had is now chewing a dish that we made."  Raghav said.

"This is bad, you are crossing your limits and don't try to flirt wih me like that." Janani was red with anger. 

I'm sorry. But how would you, miss St.Joseph's university taste bad, that's what I meant." Raghav replied charmingly, as he knew Janani loves being praised for her beauty.

Janani took a noodle and gestured to Raghav to come forward. Raghav closed his eyes and responded, but he never expected this. All of a sudden he heard Janani scream.

"Damn dog. Why the hell did it lick my cheek?!" Janani was fuming

"It's just his way of showing love." Raghav retaliated.

"It's not a very pleasant thing atleast for me, a dog's saliva rolling down my cheek. wek..." Janani yelled.

"I'm sorry for him, see he is also conveying it through his posture." Raghav gestured to the dog to bow down.

"Ask it to keep its f******  sorry with itself." She said, cleaning her cheek with what might have been her hundredth tissue paper.

"What the hell is this idiot's name?" Janani asked.

"Well... He's a dog and I named him dog. I am not a fan of keeping fancy names.But this dog is not ordinary, it has got some talent." Raghav explained.

"Oh really! Please tell me that your dog can fly like Disney's underdog." Janani mocked.

" I have a Frisbee, and every time i throw it irrespective of how far it goes , dog finds it... He loves me and he has been with me for 12 years."

"How queer! Okay listen.. I don't care a damn for the love you receive from this shitty animal. But if you would want to receive mine hence forth, i want this to be thrown out."  Janani ordered.

"That's so harsh babe. I hope one day you will understand my love." 

"Hey Raghav, I want you to remember two things" Janani interrupted. 

"Firstly, I'm not your babe. I'm just your friend atleast for now. 

Secondly, don't hope.

HOPE is a bad thing, especially when you hope for something and it doesn't happen. So prepare for the worst, before hoping for the best.

I won't step into this room ever again in my life, goodbye" She departed slamming the door against Raghav's face.

Two minutes later she entered the same room..

"I forgot my handbag"  she quickly grabbed her glittering handbag from the couch and walked to the door.

" I love you Janani, dog won't be an hindrance." Raghav confessed pleadingly with tears in his eyes.

Janani looked deep into his eyes and gave a brief smile, but it didn't last long. 

Moments later she walked out and slammed the door.

Raghav lay on his bad, he was thinking about what Janani had told him earlier.

"Okay. I don't care a damn for the love you receive from the shitty animal. But if you want to receive mine hence forth, I want this to be thrown out."

His brain told him to ditch his dog because an average dog's lifespan is 11 years while, for a woman it is 11x6 years. 

His conscience told him, not to leave the dog he loved because conscience doesn't care a bit for logic. It is selfish about doing the right thing.

Nobody will buy a dog which is roughly 12 years old.

And so, Raghav drove Dog in his old Maruti, to a nearby highway, pulled him out and removed his collar.

As in most cases, the brain won over the conscience; not overpoweringly' but yes unconvincingly. 

Raghav kissed the dog's hairy forehead, hugged it and said, I love you dog, please don't hate me, but I really see no other way.
Raghav took the frisbee and flung it with all his might along with all his frustration and unhappiness; into the marshy land, in the direction where a dangerous cliff lay. 

The poor four legged thing ran behind the frisbee. But after a few metres turned with his tongue out as if asking "Raghav, you will stay here right?" But Raghav was already gone. 
The evening sun disappeared into the cliff and so did Dog after a firm shake of his head as if nodding certainly that his master would come. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A glass of chillers from Le Bistro made my day"  Raghav read these words below Janani's recent Instagram post where she was seen with a glass of cocktail. It had been posted minutes ago. So Raghav headed towards Le Bistro which was a half an hour drive from the place he was in. 

Before seeing Janani, he wanted to make sure that he looked good enough, so he went straight to the restroom  to wash his face and set right his hair. 

As he washed his face, he happened to see the parking lot from a nearby window. It was dark night, and all he could make out was a couple kissing each other without recognizing his presence there. 
As he dried his hands, Raghav was struck by the glittering handbag the girl was having, in the mirror. He hopped out of the window and hid behind a tree near the parking lot. 

"I know this guy- Ravant Sharma- he studies law in my university and Mr.Sharma his dad is a wealthy politician." Raghav  thought aloud. Raghav was heartbroken to see Janani with him. Ravant behaved like a perfect gentleman in front of Janani , he bent his kness, offered her a ring, and asked her if she would be his. Janani showed no hesitation before nodding yes. 

Now Raghav knew what Janani meant by saying that she didn't a find reason to love him. Maruti failed before Mercedes. He also realised that The conscience always stands for the right thing as somethings are beyond logic. Meanwhile, Ravant took her in his arms and made her sit on the bonnet of his expensive car. 
"I love you Ravant, I'm all yours." Janani responded with a kiss. 

Raghav ran into his car, closed all the windows, wiped his face, and texted Janani,

"Janani, I'm afraid you said it wrong. Hope is not bad. 
When life shuts all its door against us, it is hope which help us to hold on!
Hope is a beautiful thing, I'm going to find it. 
All the best for your love. I hope that you find your happiness there."

Raghav quietly left the place. 

"I have committed a grave mistake. 
Oh my Dog! I hope I will be able to find you. You are the only person who could help me come out of this." Raghav said to himself.

All of a sudden Raghav could hear his conscience talk.

"Oh Raghav! Don't feel bad. What she has done to you is no more than what you did to your dog. Just like how you betrayed him for Janani,she betrayed you for Ravant. You were her dog."

Yes Karma is a boomerang. But in this case, the boomerang came faster and harder than Raghav would have expected. 

He immediately drove to the highway and searched for his dog amongst the bushes with his mobile flashlight. The terrain gave negative answers. The cliff was so deep that anyone who falls froom it is sure to die. 

He walked back to his car , opened all the doors and waited for Dog for hours. 

"Hey, wake up young man, this is a highway, you can't sleep here." A man in a highway patrol car woke Raghav. 

Raghav managed to drive his car a few metres  forward, despite having droopy eyelids because of his disturbed sleep. He couldn't continue. So he checked whether the patrol vehicle is gone through the rear view mirror. 
To his utter amazement, he saw the Frisbee lying on his back seat. 

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If you believe that Hope is a beautiful thing, like we do. Let's hope together that the Frisbee was not Raghav's dream.



                                                      Penned by,
                                                                          Ashwaak Jafeer and Pranaav S.