Indian cricket icon MS Dhoni’s popularity knows no bounds, and his recent gesture of sending a signed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey to Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has once again highlighted the immense respect and admiration the former Indian captain commands.
Throughout the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which saw CSK clinch their fifth title under Dhoni’s leadership, stadiums reverberated with chants of “Dhoni Dhoni,” as fans flocked in large numbers to witness the enigmatic skipper’s magic. This spectacle became a common sight on social media platforms, showcasing the unwavering support Dhoni enjoys.
The past two IPL seasons were marked by speculation surrounding Dhoni’s retirement from the T20 tournament, prompting players from opposing teams to seize every opportunity to collect memorabilia from the legendary captain. Whether it was fans requesting selfies, jerseys, or autographs, Dhoni graciously fulfilled these desires. Even legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar couldn’t stop asking for a signed jersey from the World Cup-winning captain after a match in the 2023 edition.
It has become common sight to witness IPL players seeking Dhoni’s autographed jersey or requesting jersey exchanges. In a similar instance, Gurbaz has revealed MSD’s heartwarming gesture of sending him a CSK jersey as a gift.
Gurbaz, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this year in the cash-rich league, expressed his gratitude on social media, sharing a photo of himself holding the gifted jersey. In his post, Gurbaz thanked Dhoni for the gesture and conveyed his respect for the iconic cricketer.
“Thanks @mahi7781 sir for sending the gift all the way from india,” Gurbaz wrote in the caption of the post.
Thanks @msdhoni sir for sending the gift all the way from india ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EaWtwz7CnY
— Rahmanullah Gurbaz (@RGurbaz_21) June 20, 2023
Before IPL 2023 started, the Afghan cricketer expressed his desire to play with AB de Villiers and Dhoni. With the former already retired, he hoped to fulfill the dream with the latter.
“I had two players in my life I want to play with but unfortunately, I did not play with them. One was AB de Villiers. I was really inspired by him. He was my idol. I followed him a lot from my childhood,” Gurbaz said to Hindustan Times ahead of the IPL 2023
“He is retired now but one thing that I hope is possible this year is to play with MS Dhoni, against him and with him but in one game. I hope this dream comes true,” KKR wicketkeeper further added.
During IPL 2023, Gurbaz showcased his skills both with the bat and behind the stumps, proving himself as a valuable asset for his team. In the 11 matches for KKR, he accumulated 227 runs at an average of 20.64 and an impressive strike rate of 133.52.
