Rachin Ravindra got his first real taste of the MS Dhoni frenzy in Chennai. With Chennai Super Kings (CSK) just four runs away from victory against their arch-rivals, Mumbai Indians, the Chepauk crowd was on the edge of their seats, hoping for a signature Dhoni six to seal the win—something they hadn’t witnessed in over a year.

Image credit: Chennai Super Kings

"It's difficult to soak it in when you're in the moment, because you're simply focused on winning the game for the team," Ravindra said after CSK's four-wicket win to kick-start their IPL 2025 campaign. "It's hard to ignore, though. You hear Dhoni come out with the whistles and the noise. It's cool to share the crease with him for the first time. He's a legend of the game, and people love him here. So, it's special.

"All the crowd would have been hoping that I gave him [the strike] and finished the game, and he would have finished it. But it's just about getting the job done. He's finished so many games to CSK, and I'm sure there's plenty more to come."

With Devon Conway sidelined by injury, Rachin Ravindra got the opportunity to open the batting for most of IPL 2024. Ahead of this season, CSK re-signed Conway at the mega auction and used their right-to-match card to retain Ravindra, entrusting him with the opening role. The decision paid off, as Ravindra delivered with an unbeaten 65 off 45 balls, guiding CSK to victory in their 156-run chase.

"A few days ago, I guess, and Flem's [head coach Stephen Fleming] quite good at those comms," Ravindra said about when he got to know that he would open the batting this season. "It's always an honour to open for CSK knowing the history of it. And you look back at the heroes like the [Michael] Husseys, the [Shane] Watsons, the [Brendon] McCullums, the [Faf] du Plessis, the Rutus [Ruturaj Gaikwad]. I feel like I'm missing a few names there… [Matthew] Haydens, the Conways.

"It's certainly an honour. They have been guys who've done so well. I'm definitely grateful to be in this role. We'll take a game by game and we know it's long tournament. So, we'll just see what happens."