Cricket

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrated his 43rd birthday on Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Mumbai. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter and his wife, Sakshi, were in the city to attend the Sangeet celebrations of Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani's wedding. Dhoni marked his special day in the company of Sakshi and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.Dhoni's birthday was not only celebrated by his family and friends but also by his countless fans across the country. In Ranchi, where Dhoni's residence is located, a heartwarming video went viral on social media. Despite Dhoni's absence, his parents ensured that his fans were not disappointed. They distributed sweets and cake to all those who had gathered outside their home to wish Dhoni.Earlier in the day, a video of Dhoni cutting his birthday cake in the early hours of July 7 went viral. Salman Khan was seen standing alongside Dhoni and Sakshi during the celebration. Khan later took to social media to wish Dhoni on his birthday, posting a picture of the two from the celebration and writing, "Happy Birthday Kaptaan Sahab!"Dhoni also received a video call from Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current captain of the Chennai Super Kings, the IPL franchise that Dhoni led to four titles. Gaikwad's teammates on the Zimbabwe tour, Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande, were also seen in the video call.Dhoni's birthday celebration comes at a time when he is enjoying a break from cricket. He retired from international cricket in 2020 and from the IPL in 2023. However, he remains a popular figure in the sport and continues to inspire young cricketers.

India's T20 World Cup triumph has been a testament to the unwavering support of the nation's fans, according to star spinner Kuldeep Yadav. In a heartfelt message to his countrymen, Kuldeep hailed the fans as the team's "biggest strength," acknowledging their role in propelling Rohit Sharma's men to victory in the Caribbean.India's 17-year wait for a second T20 World Cup trophy ended on June 29, as they defeated South Africa by seven runs at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The victory parade in Mumbai last week drew lakhs of fans onto the streets, a testament to the outpouring of love and support for the team.Kuldeep, who played a crucial role in India's unbeaten run to the title, expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering belief. "Together, we accomplished a dream that we were chasing for long," he wrote on social media. "I would like to thank my teammates, the support staff, media and of course our biggest strength, the fans who kept supporting us throughout the tournament."Despite not featuring in the group-stage matches held in the US, Kuldeep became a regular in the playing eleven once the team qualified for the 'Super 8s'. His left-arm spin proved effective on the slow tracks in the Caribbean, as he replaced paceman Mohammed Siraj in the lineup.Kuldeep's five matches in India's eight-match unbeaten run yielded 10 wickets, with a best of 3 for 19 at an economy rate of 6.95. His contributions were instrumental in India's success, and he expressed his hope that the team had brought joy to the nation."I hope we have entertained you all and given you moments of joy that you, your family and friends will cherish with us for a lifetime," Kuldeep wrote. "The cup is home guys, we all did it."