IPL 2023, MI vs CSK: Officials inundated with requests for tickets to watch icon MS Dhoni at Wankhede

“There are 1,634 unread messages and more than 350 missed calls. All have one request, ‘Can we get passes for the IPL game?’” Naik told The Indian Express.

It seems everyone wants to watch MS Dhoni in action.

“There is tremendous pressure for passes, especially for this game (MI vs CSK). Probably, many feel that it’s Dhoni’s last season and want to watch this game. This is the case with every MCA administrator. Their phones are full of requests for passes. There is great demand,” Naik said.

Another official who did not wish to be named said a person wanted a ticket to impress his ‘would-be’ son-in-law.

Inside the MCA office, visitors have been coming in to check if anyone even has paid tickets. But with the game sold out a long time ago, the organisers are having a tough time. The minimum price for CSK-MI games at the official ticketing partner bookmyshow.com is Rs 3,500.

“Everyone calls hoping that they will get the best seat for the game but it’s getting tough to accommodate everyone. We have limited seats and demand for passes is too high. I have never received as many calls in my life as I have received in the last two days,” MCA president Amol Kale said.

At 41, Dhoni’s charisma and star power has refused to ebb, regardless of wherever he is playing. He is still the biggest crowd-puller. Despite being retired from international cricket for more than two years now, his fan following is still intact and no other cricketer has been able to come close. Such has been the craze that everyone wants to share a moment with him.

“Wherever we go, you will find his craze. His fans are not only in India but abroad too. I can’t tell you the number of requests we get every time the IPL season starts. We receive endless photo requests, meet requests, but we don’t entertain them at all. Even here, the demand for tickets is such that we can’t meet it. He (Dhoni) is a global icon and it’s natural that everyone wants to see him,” Chennai Super Kings chief executive officer Kasi Vishwanath said.

The MCA had organised a special function where they wanted to set up a memorial on the seat where Dhoni’s six landed which saw India clinching the 2011 World Cup at Wankhede Stadium. Hundreds of MCA officials turned up to have a glimpse of him cutting the ribbon. He was surrounded by everyone wanting a picture with the icon.

Kieron Pollard, batting coach of Mumbai Indians, says Dhoni gets home support wherever he goes.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, when he plays this season, everywhere he goes, he’s going to have a home crowd and home support, because of what he has done. We felt that years ago when we had our own icon, Sachin Tendulkar. No matter where we went throughout India, we had that support,” the West Indian said during the pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, during an optional training session, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma decided to rest while Dhoni turned up but didn’t train. But on the weekend, Wankhede will hope that Dhoni provides some magic again.