Suresh Raina rolled back the Chepauk years and delighted the fans with a towering six off Noor Ahmed during the Chennai Super Kings fan event ahead of IPL 2026. With MS Dhoni behind the stumps and a packed crowd watching, the moment instantly turned into a nostalgic highlight.
The video shared by CSK on their social media quickly went viral, with fans at the stadium and online reliving memories of Raina’s match-winning performances in the yellow jersey. Known as ‘Chinna Thala’ among CSK supporters, Raina received a rousing welcome as he returned to the ground where he built his legacy.
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In a relaxed batting performance, Raina faced CSK spinner Noor Ahmed while Dhoni kept the wickets. What started as a casual hit soon turned electric as Raina stepped out and launched a clean six that sent the Chepauk crowd into a frenzy. Watching from behind the stumps, Dhoni seemed to be enjoying the moment as much as the fans.
HOW CSK WELCOMED THEIR OG
The MA Chidambaram Stadium took on a festive atmosphere for a special fan event, which brought together several CSK legends under one roof. Former stars like Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Muttiah Muralitharan, Murali Vijay, Parthiv Patel and S Badrinath donned the yellow jersey again, adding to the sense of nostalgia.
While the loudest cheers were reserved for Dhoni, Raina’s return to Chepauk was one of the standout moments of the day. New recruit Sanju Samson, who is joining CSK for IPL 2026, also got a warm welcome from the home crowd.
Dhoni, amid continued speculation about his future, looked perfectly at ease as he kept wickets and interacted with former team-mates. There was no sign of a farewell mood, with the 44-year-old enjoying himself and enjoying his time on the pitch.
CSK will now turn their attention to the upcoming season and begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30 before returning home to face Punjab Kings on April 3.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
22 March 2026 21:29 IST
