The balance of power seems to be shifting at the Chepauk Stadium, home to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). New data suggests that young captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s popularity is surging among the fans, potentially surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni.
New Way to Measure Fan Frenzy in IPL 2024
The 2024 IPL season has introduced a novel way to gauge crowd excitement. By measuring the decibel level of cheers, broadcasters can quantify the intensity of fan reactions for players and key moments.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Fifty Takes the Cake
This innovative data revealed a fascinating trend at the recent CSK vs. Punjab Kings match on Wednesday. When Ruturaj Gaikwad reached his fifty with a six, the crowd erupted, registering a deafening 124 decibels on the decibel meter. Notably, this surpassed MS Dhoni’s own six in the last over, which clocked in at 121 decibels.
MS Dhoni Still a Force, But…
While Ruturaj Gaikwad stole the show in this instance, MS Dhoni is far ahead in the IPL 2024 overall-rankings.
Two of his earlier moments from the season have made it to all-time list. His arrival for the toss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL opener generated a roar of 130 decibels, the highest of the season so far at Chepauk.
Additionally, a powerful boundary he struck against Delhi Capitals registered 128 decibels.
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MS Dhoni steps aside, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps up
It’s important to remember that Dhoni’s decision to hand over the CSK captaincy to Gaikwad before the season itself was a surprising move.
This data suggests that Gaikwad’s leadership, coupled with his on-field performances, is resonating with the Chepauk faithful. While Dhoni remains a legend, Gaikwad appears to be capturing the hearts of the Chennai crowd in a new way.