Amidst the cheering echoes of fans in Chepauk, MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings captain led his teammates on a triumphant lap of honour around the Chidambaram Stadium following their victory over Rajasthan Royals. On the ground, CSK fans saw their favourites, Thala and Chinna Thala aka MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, sharing smiles as they greeted each other as CSK’s final home game of the season came to an end.

As chants of Dhoni’s name reverberated across the stadium, uniting the sentiments of a legion of fans, the CSK squad embraced the momentous occasion with humility and joy. However, this is not the first time Dhoni has captivated the hearts of us Indians. If you want to know more about him on and off the field, explore these handpicked audiobooks, podcasts, and films for a glimpse into Thala’s remarkable journey.

IPL Fever 2024: Top M.S. Dhoni Titles on OTT Every Cricket Fan Should Check Out

Do Different

Platform: Audible

Out-of-the-box thinking, ruthless pragmatism and an innate ability to understand, define and then redefine the game of cricket are probably the hallmarks of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cricket. From hitting countless sixes in his school ground in the sleepy town of Ranchi to finishing a run chase in a World Cup final against Sri Lanka, tune into this audiobook on Dhoni’s power-packed journey through the years. The audiobook features various perspectives on Dhoni’s journey, ranging from his original agent providing insights into the development of brand Dhoni, to an international fast bowler who played alongside MSD since his first-class days.

The Dhoni Touch

Platform: Audible

Listen to this audiobook to discover the different shades of your beloved Thala. In the audiobook, Bharat Sundaresan delves into Dhoni’s life by tracing his closest friends in Ranchi. Through his skilful storytelling, he uncovers the various facets of Dhoni’s persona – the Ranchi boy, the military man, the diplomat, Chennai’s beloved Thala, and the wicketkeeping icon, thus, taking the listeners on a journey to discover the ‘Dhoni touch.’

The M.S. Dhoni Way: Leadership Masterclass from the Master of the Craft – Pearls of Wisdom

Platform: Audible

In this podcast, gain insights into the leadership strategies of the cricketing legend, MSD, as it spotlights his approach to team leadership, strategic manoeuvres, tactical play, and overall perspective on the game. The podcast delves deeper into his sportsman spirit by highlighting his analytical skills, how he harnesses all kinds of players, his attitude towards the game, his blueprint of building a successful team and excerpts from some select post-match presentation interviews.

MSD: The Man, the Leader

Platform: Audible

MSD: The Man, the Leader offers a deep dive into Dhoni’s journey, highlighting his challenges during his youth, his stellar career as a cricketer and captain, and his innate leadership qualities. Through interesting conversations with Harsh Goenka, Vineet Nayar, and Dhanraj Pillay, this audiobook presents Dhoni’s story in a jargon-free, easy-to-digest style filled with anecdotes showcasing his strong personality and inspiring leadership.

Believe

Platform: Audible

The audiobook Believe delves deep into the camaraderie and bond between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, highlighting their journey together on and off the field. Raina recollects meeting Dhoni for the first time during the Dilip Trophy match in Gwalior in February 2005. Sharing rooms and discussing everything under the sun, their close friendship and bond remain intact over time. Tune in to know how Dhoni provided immense support to Raina during his formative years of cricket.

M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

With the IPL fever high, let’s revisit this much-loved film based on Dhoni’s life. The movie starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput showcases M.S Dhoni’s struggles and dreams of playing cricket for Team India. Despite an initial attempt to fulfil his father’s wishes by pursuing a job in the Indian Railways, he decides to chase his dreams and become one of the greatest cricketers in Indian history.

Mr. & Mrs. Mahi

In theatres: May 2024

Starring Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma, and Kumud Mishra, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi’ is a film to look out for this year! Directed by Sharan Sharma, the movie portrays the life of none other than Thala, our beloved Mahendra Singh Dhoni. With its stellar cast and promise to capture the journey of the cricketing legend, this film is definitely not one to be missed!