The name pays homage to Chennai’s Tamil royalty and the Mahabalipuram lion sculptures.
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Original colors were sky blue & gold (2008)! Switched to yellow to mirror Tamil Nadu’s temple silk & sun vibrancy.
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The anthem was composed by Saindhavi, a Carnatic singer, in 2010. Dhoni insisted it include traditional Tamil beats.
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CSK rarely releases core players (e.g., Raina, Bravo, Hussey). Dhoni’s rule: “Retire here or stay forever.”
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Dhoni never steps onto the field first – always follows players. His gloves have a hidden “7” stitched inside for luck.
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CSK funds free heart surgeries for underprivileged kids via the “Chennai Heart Foundation” – but never publicizes it.
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Rajinikanth & Kamal Haasan in CSK jerseys. Superstar Rajinikanth gifted Dhoni a golden lion pendant in 2018 for their comeback win.
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Plans to build India’s largest cricket library in Chennai. Stephen Fleming will mentor future captains even after retiring.
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CSK has never rebuilt its squad (unlike other teams). Their mantra: “Old is gold, but gold evolves.”
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