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MS Dhoni’s magnetic persona left an impression on yet another sports star, this time being Parupalli Kashyap, the celebrated Indian badminton ace. In a recent podcast, Kashyap fondly recounted his encounter with Dhoni, describing how the former Indian skipper engaged with him like an old friend, expressing his interest in tennis.
Reflecting on the meeting, Kashyap humorously noted that since not everyone is familiar with badminton players, he introduced himself to Dhoni as “Saina’s husband.” However, what caught Kashyap off guard was Dhoni’s unexpected reaction upon meeting him.
“I met Dhoni at a wedding recently. I introduced myself as Saina’s husband. I thought I was Saina’s plus one here so some people who follow sports might recognize me. I am a cricket and Dhoni fan. So, when I met him, he told me ‘pata hai bhai. I play badminton. I know who you are and you don’t need to tell me that you are Saina’s husband.’ He spoke to me like a friend, as if I am his teammate,” Kashyap said on Nikhil Tho Natakalu’s podcast.
MS Dhoni remains a unique figure in cricket history as the only captain to have secured three ICC titles. His captaincy saw India triumph in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Since that memorable Champions Trophy victory, India has been awaiting another ICC title for over a decade, marking a notable milestone in international cricket.
In 2024, India finally ended their drought of ICC titles by clinching their second T20 World Cup championship. The decisive victory came against South Africa in the final, where India posted a formidable total of 176 runs. Despite South Africa’s initial challenge, needing 30 runs off the last 30 balls, India’s strong bowling and fielding ensured they couldn’t surpass the target.
India’s path to victory was marked by an unbeaten campaign, highlighted by crucial wins including a significant triumph over Australia in the Super 8s, which not only secured their advancement but also avenged a previous ODI World Cup final loss.
The nation erupted in celebration following the historic win, with Mumbai turning into a sea of joy during a memorable road show by the victorious Indian team. The city came to a standstill on July 4th as crowds joined in the festivities, reveling in the team’s success. MS Dhoni, in his trademark style, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian team for their remarkable achievement in the T20 World Cup.
In an Instagram post celebrating India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, MS Dhoni expressed his elation, saying, “WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self-belief and doing what u guys did. From all the Indians back home and everywhere in the world, a big thank you for bringing the World Cup Home. CONGRATULATIONS. arreeee thanks for the priceless birthday gift.”
During the 2024 IPL season, Dhoni continued to play for CSK (Chennai Super Kings). However, the team finished fifth in the points table, failing to qualify for the playoffs for only the third time in their history. Known for their consistent playoff appearances, CSK has benefited from Dhoni’s leadership, securing five titles, the most recent being in 2023. As for Dhoni’s future in IPL 2025, his participation remains uncertain at this time.
