There was a lot of activity around a boutique hotel located 500 meters from Chepauk in Chennai. Situated between a sports shop and a makeshift auto rickshaw stand, it was a landmark for the yellow jersey before starting the famous Whistle Podu Army march to the stadium ahead of IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. From Vizag to Kerala, members of the famous fan club gathered and waited for their rockstar to finish his paint job, put on a curly wig and lead an energetic procession.
Around 5:30 pm, ‘Rockstar’ Saravanan reached Hari, met his friends from the fan club and left for the stadium. The energy was electric, whistles were blown proudly and chants of “Dhoni, Dhoni, CSK, CSK” echoed through the narrow bylanes. There were repeated time checks along the way as they did not want to be late for the competition, but throughout the march, in extremely hot and humid conditions, the energy did not wane and served a perfect appetizer for the 40-over feast ahead Went. ,
No prizes for guessing the number dressed in CSK yellow and on their back. For the cricket lovers of Chennai, 7 is not just a number. It’s a feeling, it’s his connection to cricket, to the IPL. For them, life begins and ends with 7. No other number anywhere in the world, not even Sachin Tendulkar’s 10 or Virat Kohli’s 18, has the same connection as Dhoni’s 7 in Chennai.
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The moment Chepauk became visible, the march picked up pace and there was palpable enthusiasm in every step they took towards the stand. Around 6:10 PM Whistle Podu would rest in the army stadium, take his seat in front of the press box and Saravanan Hari Vishal in the center would walk incessantly waving the huge CSK flag.
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Before Saravanan became the center of attraction in Chepauk, he shared strokes of yellow neatly with close friends in a small hotel room. There were many phone calls inquiring about the details of his march and he patiently attended all of them and spent the evening applying color to his face.
During the 30-minute drill, Saravanan opened up about the man behind the yellow and how he fell in love with the game.
“Back in the day, when I was studying my class 6, the contemporary format was day-match. The coin toss used to happen at 9 am and the game started at 9.30 am. Crowds of people used to throng to see Sachin Tendulkar play. I was among those who came to the stadium to watch him play. And the feeling I had when I saw it for the first time is still there.
“Off the top of my head, I remember the disappointment when India lost the ICC World Cup final against Australia back in 2003. I had fallen. I was devastated when Sachin lost his wicket that day,” recalls Saravanan.
The disappointment was still evident in his tone as he momentarily stopped the makeup. However, it stopped in a flash when he remembered “that” six by MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka.
“But, when Dhoni overcame that pain by hitting a six against Sri Lanka in the 2011 final at the Wankhede, my happiness knew no bounds. Proper unbridled joy,” says Saravanan.
Dhoni’s love affair with Chennai began in the year 2008 when he was acquired by the CSK franchise in the IPL auction. The buzz about “this man called Dhoni” grew and in no time he became the priceless “Kohinoor Diamond” for the city.
“The headline at that time was that this guy named Dhoni went for the highest bid that day… Dhoni is not an ordinary name though. We bought him for 7 crores (a little over 6 crores) that day, but today, the signing has proved to be as priceless as the Kohinoor diamond,” recalls Saravanan.
With each passing season, Dhoni’s bond with the region grew stronger and in no time Ranchi’s Mahi became Chennai’s Thala.
“He has become a part of our families. And everyone knows Dhoni for six to sixty years. I think there is an old prophecy that says ‘Vandharai Vazhavaikum Tamizh Naadu’ (The land that nurtures those who come Whoever comes to our soil, returns a respected person,” says Saravanan.
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During several conversations about his family, background and life, Saravanan was not interested, but did not stop the paint job. The moment the discussion turned to MS Dhoni and CSK, he stopped and immaculately explained what the former Indian captain means to him and the people of Chennai.
“If CSK and Dhoni had not come into my life, this interview would not have happened, we would not be in this room right now, I would not be the person you know today,” says Saravanan.
It hasn’t been easy for the super fan, who has had a lot of hardships in life. Hailing from North Madras, Saravanan was not a bad student, but had to do odd jobs instead of pursuing further education to support his family. A close friend revealed how Saravanan used to do shows like repairing tire punctures just to meet the needs of his family. In the olden days, flying in an airplane was a dream for them and they used to gaze at the sky. Ever since he started painting in 2013, life has taken a turn for the better and sponsorship from CSK for away games has given him plenty of time to fly.
“I belong to a middle class family and I still remember the time when I used to dream about flying in a plane looking at the sky. But, I have lost count of the number of flights I have taken today. And the reason for this is Chennai Super Kings. I started painting in 2013 and since 2014 CSK was sponsoring me for away games, which they continued afterwards,” says Saravanan.
Even after so many years, the memory of the first flight is still fresh and his eyes fill with tears when he remembers that journey from Ranchi to Chennai. He re-lived the “unforgettable experience” and witnessed the excitement of a child in a candy store. He will also fly to Britain for the Games but that first flight is special.
“The first away game I played was Ranchi and my first flying experience was from Ranchi to Chennai. Absolutely unforgettable experience. Beyond home away games, I have traveled to games in the UK and Chennai Super Kings was responsible for all the occasions. They are not just a part of my life, CSK and Dhoni are like my two eyes. Life would not be the same without them,” says Saravanan.
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2023 has been a unique season for the Chennai Super Kings. They are perhaps the only side to have played 14 home games as the Yellow Army have followed them wherever they have travelled. Be it the Wankhede stand or the Arun Jaitley Stadium, there has been a generous splash of yellow. The chants of “Dhoni, Dhoni” have only grown louder and every time he walks out to the middle or is seen on the giant screen, the buzz is absolutely electric.
There is palpable disappointment in Saravanan’s tone as he is not sure about Dhoni’s participation next year. One doesn’t have to be honest. He has decided to bear the travel and accommodation expenses from his own pocket as a “tribute to my idol”.
“2023 season could be Dhoni Anna’s (brother) last season, I wanted to spend my pocket money to see him play. So I have used my own funds to travel and don’t want to cause trouble to CSK. (En Thalaivan Koo Naan Pannanam) I have to pay tribute to my idol. This is my wish. (en kadavuluku naan den archana pannanam) I have to worship my Lord. Although not from someone else’s vault. I have to be out of my pocket.
“According to me this season has been a different experience. CSK is the only team that has played 14 home matches. Because CSK fans took over the away stadiums even on match days,” says Saravanan.
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Saravanan recalls life before becoming a CSK and MS Dhoni super fan. How difficult the times were, how people looked down upon them because of their educational qualification and the struggle to eat at the dinner table. However, a lot has changed from “That Saravanan” to “This Saravanan”. He is able to provide for the needs of his family and sometimes feels jealous of himself.
“I’m jealous of me right now. I doubt at times whether I am the same Saravanan that I was all those years ago. I remember back in the day I was looked down upon because of my educational qualification, that I had just passed 10th standard. There is a lot of difference between ‘that’ Saravanan and ‘this’ Saravanan. As I have already mentioned, none of these media and stuff would have been possible if I were an old fashioned Saravanan. I like this face a bit more than ‘Saravanan’,’ says Saravanan.
After initial difficulties, everything turns out well for the super fan, who no longer has to worry about making ends meet and can now travel abroad without a second thought.
“A lot of things changed in my life for the good. I have the luxury of doing almost everything I want in life right now. I can travel abroad if I want, even for free. How much my life has changed. Man works hard and strives to satisfy his stomach. And something as important as food is available to me without paying a penny these days. I don’t know what more a man could want in life,” says Saravanan.
Saravanan’s six-year-old daughter is connecting with cricket after seeing her father play the game in proper “fan mood” and will soon start supporting him. He doesn’t want to force her into matches and is happy to wait for him to inspire her.
“My daughter has started asking me to take her to games. I usually watch games in proper ‘fan-mood’. She is six years old and I would like to bring her along for a game. But, like I said, the motivation should come from them and not be forced.
“But, I personally feel she will be accompanying me to matches in the near future,” says Saravanan.