Murali Vijay described Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a "very, very special side" that features some of the "legends of world cricket", including skipper MS Dhoni. CSK is inarguably among the most successful IPL franchises, alongside Mumbai Indians (MI), having clinched the prestigious trophy thrice and reached the play-offs more often than anyone else in the history of the league. 

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"CSK is a very very special team. The kind of players, who came aboard right from the first auction, you name it, they are legends of world cricket," Vijay was quoted as saying on official CSK website. 

The 36-year-old has had quite a journey with CSK. He was part of the franchise for the first five seasons before rejoining Dhoni's army in 2018. Vijay has been there whenever CSK has lifted the coveted trophy. 

"It was a great honour for us youngsters to step into the dressing room (ahead of the inaugural season in 2008) and rub shoulders with some of the legends. You get to learn a lot of things by watching them and being around them," said the right-hand batsman, who has played 61 Tests for India. 

"Twenty20 was a new format in 2008/09, and I guess my game was suited for white ball cricket when I started. I kind of enjoyed it when the opportunity came to me. I was ready up and going," Vijay added.

"The team atmosphere was such that you want to contribute because everyone plays with such energy and intensity. The competition was very high."

Going down by just 1 run in the last year's final, CSK would've been desperate to turn up at the league's 13th edition, which unfortunately remains under suspension because of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak. 

(Inputs from PTI)