In the last 10 seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), no other team has managed to even come close to matching the loyal and consistent fan-following of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). And, why not? The Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful franchises in the IPL.

The IPL spot-fixing scandal might have kept CSK out of the league following a two-season ban on charges of corruption, but the eleventh season, slated to begin in April, is set to mark the return of the Yellow brigade. While the fans are surely excited to see their side return to the fold, they are undeniably ecstatic on welcoming their 'Thalaiva' (leader) MS Dhoni back into the team.

© Reuters

Though the eleventh edition is still a few months away, the players' retention for this season has already set the ball rolling. And, it was no surprise when Chennai shelled out a staggering Rs 15 crore to rekindle their love affair with Dhoni to the sheer joy of the fans.

Soon after the retentions, a video was posted by Chennai where Dhoni was seen signing his big IPL deal. The video, which has now gone viral, also shows Dhoni's daughter Ziva right next to him as her father signs the lucrative contract.

Thakida thakida thakida Thala @msdhoni!#ReturnOfTheSuperKings#SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu #goosebumps ð¥ pic.twitter.com/hnkcXN6QOv

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

It was no surprise that the video has been retweeted over 5,000 times and garnered more than 17,000 likes. In a country where the north-south cultural divide is so prominent and relatable that it becomes the subject matter of a book like 'Two States'. 

Here was Dhoni, a guy from the rustic outback of Jharkhand, representing the Tamil bastion of Chennai. The way Chennai made Dhoni one of its own, even anointing him with a sobriquet of 'Thala', or the leader, is one of the most heart-warming stories of IPL.

© Twitter/@ChennaiIPL‏

As much as his success with Team India, Dhoni has also made huge gains with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) while playing in India's cash-rich T20 league. From 2008 till 2015, Dhoni led Chennai to two IPL titles (2010 and 2011) and propelled them to the tournament final four times (2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015). With the Jharkhand cricketer at the helm, Chennai also won the Champions League T20 tournament twice in 2010 and 2014. 

Apart from Dhoni, the Chennai fans were also elated by the retentions of Suresh Raina for Rs 11 crore and Ravindra Jadeja for Rs 7 crore. Similar to MSD, the duo was also seen signing their respective contracts with Chennai who shared their videos on Twitter as well.

To more incredible victories for the Yellow Brigade with @imjadeja! ð#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/27qw0SOfIG

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

The #KnowledgeableChennaiCrowd awaits you Chinna Thala @ImRaina! ð#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/Ze27oU5KfN

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 4, 2018

Raina, who was captain of the now-defunct Gujarat Lions last season, was also happy to return to his old club. Taking to Twitter, Raina wrote: "Taking a trip to nostalgia! There is no bigger joy then reuniting with your family & the force of reunion is unstoppable! #Chennai here we come to make the celebration of 378 years even more special!".

Taking a trip to nostalgia! There is no bigger joy then reuniting with your family & the force of reunion is unstoppable! ðª#Chennai here we come to make the celebration of 378 years even more special! ð¥#IPLRetention #CSK #WhistlePodu @ChennaiIPL @IPL @msdhoni @imjadeja

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 4, 2018

With three players retained, Chennai now have two Right-To-Match (RTM) cards and Rs 47 crore in their purse left that they can use at the IPL 2018 auctions scheduled on 27, 28 January in Bengaluru.