India cricketer and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni surprised a capacity crowd present at Tirunelveli when a made a special visit during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) game between Madurai Panthers and Kovai Kings was played.
“What brings me here is the TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), of course, to start off,” he said ahead of the toss in tonight’s game after starting off with ‘Vanakkam’ in Tamil.
Namma Ooru
Namma Thala
Namma Gethu! 🙏🙏#NammaaThalaNammaGethu #TNPL2018 pic.twitter.com/pmfG2cClqf— TNPL (@TNPremierLeague) August 4, 2018
“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,” he added.
He said Tirunelveli was a special place as India Cements was started here.
Thala’s love for Namma Thamizh makkal! #NammaThalaNammaGethu #TNPL2018 pic.twitter.com/l2bkRF0gga
— TNPL (@TNPremierLeague) August 4, 2018
“Also this is a special place, this is where India Cements started,” Dhoni, who led CSK to a third crown in the 2018 IPL to level with Mumbai Indians for most titles, said.
“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,” he continued.
Thala speaks about his visit to Tirunelveli! #NammaOoruNammaGethu #TNPL2018 pic.twitter.com/1ybKUA0JUn
— TNPL (@TNPremierLeague) August 4, 2018
He said each year he comes down to watch a few TNPL games adding 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.
Dhoni was part of the Indian team which lost a closely contest three-match ODI series 1-2 against England. His performance came under the scanner after a string of ordinary outings in the limited overs format.
