MS Dhoni - Then, Now, Forever: Fans In Awe Of CSK Captain's Longevity And Fitness Ahead Of IPL 2023

The captains of all the franchises participating in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season gathered for a pre-season photoshoot with the IPL 2023 trophy, just 24 hours before the first match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. MS Dhoni, the only captain who remains from the first-ever IPL season in 2008, led Chennai Super Kings back then and will be leading them again in the 16th edition of IPL. This fact left fans in awe of his longevity and some even hailed him as the ultimate 'GOAT.'

Game Face _

ARE. YOU. READY for #TATAIPL 2023_ pic.twitter.com/eS5rXAavTK

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 30, 2023

Also Read: GT Vs CSK, IPL 2023 Weather And Pitch Report Of Ahmedabad Stadium: Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings To Kick Start Season On Batting Paradise

The longevity of MS Dhoni.

The GOAT is still going strong. pic.twitter.com/miVe0hCrht — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 30, 2023

The dream duo of Indian cricket - MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten. pic.twitter.com/vKafUZXUrq — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 30, 2023

Take it easy, Summer is going to be crazy! _#WhistlePodu #Yellove __@imjadeja @msdhoni @deepak_chahar9 @reliancejio pic.twitter.com/Uhv7TJAeKj

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 29, 2023

MS Dhoni sitting in the Indian team dugout. pic.twitter.com/6xV0AmSUmd — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 21, 2023

MS Dhoni during the practice session.

Fitness at the age of 41 is unmatched. pic.twitter.com/eK7xywso3g — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 28, 2023

The Respect for MS Dhoni! __ pic.twitter.com/LlcCmkhSK8 — DIPTI MSDIAN (@Diptiranjan_7) March 30, 2023

There won't be another MS Dhoni . pic.twitter.com/BpYuKkhkpJ — Arnav (@ArnavMSD) March 23, 2023

MS Dhoni in the practice session. pic.twitter.com/9EAHammIq9 — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 25, 2023

MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya likely to ride on this buggy tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/gRFEYXxXMb — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 30, 2023

_Captain in first IPL season in 2008.
_1st Indian captain to won IPL trophy.
_1st captain to won 2 consecutive IPL trophy.
_2008 batch only captain to playing currently.
_In 2023 he is playing & captaining CSK.

MS Dhoni - The Inspiration, The GOAT. pic.twitter.com/BRycLPrDAW — CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 30, 2023

Despite being one of the youngest captains in IPL 2008, Dhoni is now the oldest skipper in the league, but his sublime fitness has helped him stick around in the world's most competitive T20 league even after his international retirement. Fans were thrilled to see Dhoni back in action as his team takes on defending champions Gujarat in the first match of the season.

Last season, Chennai Super Kings finished second-bottom, but this time around, they will be hoping to improve and add to their tally of four IPL titles. The 41-year-old Dhoni has kept his future with CSK a mystery, with many fans speculating that this could be his final year with the team. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya's team, Mumbai Indians, will be hoping to become the second team after them to retain the IPL title after having defeated Rajasthan Royals in the summit clash last year.