The Dhoni chants are back at Chepauk after a gap of two years. The iconic former Chennai Super Kings skipper walked out into the middle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and launched a few into the stands to set the stadium on fire in the opening ceremony of the second edition of the TNPL in Chennai on Saturday (July 22).

It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni's evening all the way. The 36-year-old charismatic leader charmed his way around the stadium hurling goodies to the masses amidst Dhoni chants, took to the role of a ball machine operator for a few former CSK stars, unleashed a few massive hits into the terrace, got himself involved in the toss and pitch report and then touched the hearts of the Chennai crowd with a moving speech.

An emotional Dhoni, who made his Test debut here in 2005 and led CSK for eight consecutive years, congratulated CSK for getting back into the IPL scheme of things again and said the "long wait" is over.

"I don't think it can get any better. The crowd has been fantastic. They have given unconditional love and affection... I always say Chennai is my second home. I think the yellow is pretty special and I think we have done well in the yellow. I would definitely like to congratulate CSK for their return and next year you will be watching them play here. The long wait is over," said Dhoni, who last played at Chepauk against South Africa in an ODI in 2015.

Although CSK were suspended for two years from 2015 following the spot-fixing scandal in 2013, Dhoni mentioned that the fan following "has grown" during the time the team spent out of IPL. "We were not here for two years, but our fan following has grown in the last two years. They have stayed with us and the love and affection was always there. It will get amplified when CSK return to play their first game over here," said Dhoni, who represented Rising Pune Supergiant in the last two IPL seasons.

Dhoni, who has quite a few special memories at Chepauk including his double hundred against Australia in the first Test in 2013, reserved special words for the vociferous Chepauk crowd that had turned out on Saturday.

"Not only as a franchisee player but even when we have come here with the Indian team, the love and affection have been terrific over the years.

"The support has been fantastic even when we were going through a lean patch in a game and needed some outstanding performance from an individual, the support has always been there," he added.

After his speech, Dhoni went about launching three massive hits in a six-hitting contest with ease. Describing his hitting technique, Dhoni mentioned he goes against the orthodox method. "I try to watch the ball and go against orthodox form of cricket which says hold it lightly. I try to hold it a bit firmly and I don't look to hit big sixes. What I look for is a good connection. I hit big sixes in practice but in the matches, it is more flat. I don't get lot of elevation," he added.

Dhoni, CSK and the yellows are well and truly back at Chepauk