Indian badminton star Parupalli Kashyap recently shared an unforgettable encounter with legendary cricketer MS Dhoni at a wedding. Kashyap, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist and husband of former world no. 1 shuttler Saina Nehwal, initially introduced himself as Saina's spouse, assuming that Dhoni might not recognize him.
However, to Kashyap's surprise, Dhoni not only recognized him but also addressed him as a fellow teammate. "I met Dhoni at a wedding recently. I introduced myself as Saina's husband. I thought I am Saina's plus one here so some people who follow sport 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 recounted on Nikhil Tho Natakalu's podcast.
Dhoni, fondly known as Thala, is a revered figure in Indian cricket, having led the team to three ICC trophies and Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles. His exceptional batting skills and astute leadership have earned him immense respect and admiration.
Kashyap, on the other hand, has made significant contributions to Indian badminton. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2012 for becoming the first Indian men's badminton player to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics. He also clinched the gold medal in men's singles at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The meeting between Kashyap and Dhoni highlights the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists within the Indian sporting fraternity. It also underscores the growing popularity of badminton in India, which has produced world-class players like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu.
Tags: #MSDhoni, #ParupalliKashyap, #Badminton, #Cricket, #IndianSports
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