Former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was spotted attending Radhika Merchant's birthday party on October 18. Radhika, who recently tied the knot with Anant Ambani, son of India’s renowned business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, celebrated her special day with several high-profile guests, including Dhoni. The cricketing legend, known for his low-key presence, made headlines once again after a picture of him at the event surfaced online, going viral in no time.

MS Dhoni attends Radhika Merchant's star-studded birthday

MS Dhoni, affectionately known as ‘Captain Cool,’ has always maintained a cordial relationship with the Ambani family. He previously attended Radhika and Anant Ambani’s wedding in Jamnagar and even extended his wishes to the couple through a heartfelt Instagram post.

At the birthday celebration, Dhoni, dressed in his usual casual yet elegant style, posed for a photograph with one of Radhika’s friends. The picture, as expected, quickly made its way to the internet, where it spread like wildfire. Fans of Dhoni were delighted to see their idol enjoying the star-studded bash alongside Bollywood celebrities, creating a buzz on social media. His calm demeanor at public events continues to charm fans across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Orhan Awatramani (@orry)

MS Dhoni with Orry at Radhika Merchant Birthday party..!! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/4lAP22c9bI

— Pragnesh Patel (@Pragnesh1935) October 18, 2024

While Dhoni's presence at the birthday party made waves, fans of the cricketing icon are equally eager to know about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 43-year-old, who stepped down from his captaincy role at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2024, is now playing solely as a player. Dhoni had earlier hinted that his return to IPL in 2025 would depend on the new retention rules introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI recently revealed these new rules, which allow six retentions, including one uncapped player. Interestingly, Dhoni, who last played for India in 2019, could now qualify as an uncapped player in the IPL, even after representing the country for 16 years. With his stature and immense contribution to Indian cricket, fans are hopeful that the ‘Thala’ of CSK will continue to be part of the league. His retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, had left a void, but his presence in IPL keeps his legacy alive.

See Also: Watch: Rohit Sharma’s fifty ends in disbelief; Video goes viral

Mohammed Kaif on Dhoni’s uncapped retention

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif recently weighed in on the matter, expressing his thoughts on the new rules and Dhoni’s unique position. Kaif pointed out that Dhoni has always been a selfless player, and money has never been his prime motivation. Speaking about the retention, Kaif said, “I believe the rule has been changed rightly. And Dhoni himself says, ‘I don't need money, I'll adjust to whatever the team decides.’ Even if he gets 4 crore as an uncapped player, it doesn't matter to him."

Kaif went on to state that Dhoni’s legacy and contribution to Indian cricket warrant special considerations. "It sounds strange to say because 4 crore isn't much for him. Everyone knows the rule has been changed for Dhoni Sahab, and why not? You will want to change the rule for a player like Dhoni,” he added. Kaif’s remarks highlight Dhoni’s continued relevance in Indian cricket, even years after his international retirement.

MS Dhoni continues to captivate fans both on and off the field. His appearance at Radhika Merchant's birthday party stirred excitement among his followers, while speculations about his return to IPL under the new retention rules only add to the anticipation. With cricket legends like Mohammed Kaif championing his value, Dhoni’s presence in the IPL, whether as an uncapped player or in another role, remains highly anticipated. For now, his fans can enjoy seeing glimpses of their hero at star-studded events while waiting for his next move in the world of cricket.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stirred controversy by accusing skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid of meddling with the World Cup 2023 final pitch. His allegations have raised questions about the integrity of pitch preparation and its influence on match outcomes.

Mohammad Kaif’s Allegations

Kaif, who was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the final, claimed to have witnessed changes in the pitch over three days. He asserted that the Indian team management, including Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, intervened to manipulate the pitch conditions to favor slow bowling.

See Also: Rohit wants Kohli, report claims amidst T20 World Cup squad speculations

Kaif’s Statements and Criticism

In an interview with The Lallantop, Kaif expressed disappointment over the pitch manipulation tactics employed by the Indian team management. He criticized the decision to alter the pitch excessively, attributing it to India’s defeat in the final.

Kaif said, “Emotions the. 2003 mein inse (Australia) hum haare the. Main waha 3 din tha. Rohit Sharma shaam ko aaye, Dravid dono shaam ko aaye. Pitch pe gaye, ghume kaisi pitch hai. Ye 3 din lagatar hua hai aur maine pitch ka rang badalte hue dekha hai. Cummins hai Starc hai, inke pass tezz gendbaazi hai, toh inko naa slow pitch do aur waha galti hui. 100%. Chahe log kitna bhi bole ki curator apna kaam karta hai, hum kuch nahi bolte, bakwaas hai. (Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma arrived in the evening to examine the field. They stood behind the pitch every hour for three days, and I witnessed the pitch turn a different color. Give them slow pitches because they have fast bowlers like Starc and Cummins. And that’s where they went wrong. People saying that the curator makes the pitch and no one has a say is just rubbish. This is the truth, even if people don’t want to believe it).

Host Country’s Influence on Pitch Preparation

Kaif acknowledged the host country’s prerogative to dictate pitch conditions but cautioned against excessive interference. While conceding that such practices are commonplace in cricket, Kaif emphasized balance and fair play in pitch preparation.

Kaif said, “You have to express just two sentences when you are moving across the field. Please don’t add water; just cut down on the grass. That is reality. And it should to be carried out. You’re at home playing. And we overindulged in it.”

Impact on the World Cup Final

The pitch alterations purportedly backfired on India as Australia emerged victorious in the final, chasing down a target of 240 runs. Despite early success, the Indian bowlers struggled to contain Travis Head, who played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumph.

Australia’s Victory and Indian Strategy

Despite India’s efforts to tailor the pitch to their advantage, Australia’s bowlers, particularly Pat Cummins, demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Cummins’ decision to bowl first in a final, despite conventional wisdom favoring batting first, proved instrumental in securing Australia’s victory.

Team India’s selection as captain for the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting August 18 in Harare. Rahul wasn’t included in the roster. However, after recovering from COVID-19 and being given the all-clear, Rahul was named the team’s captain, with Dhawan serving as his backup. Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian batter, has now expressed his opinion on the entire incident, claiming that it could have been avoided.

“The situation could have been avoided. You have asked a valid question. There might be a miscommunication, and the report of KL Rahul might have come late. He is going there for the Asia Cup, but he would have needed match practice before that. Somewhere, there might have been a miscommunication. If Shikhar Dhawan was announced as the captain, so the team could have played under him, it would not have made any difference”

Kaif responded to a question from NDTV during a special media event hosted by Sony Sports Network, who will be airing the upcoming India-Zimbabwe series

“Currently, it is a different era now. You go as the net-bowler and then you end up playing Tests, and you make your debut. In COVID times, there have been certain changes. But you are right, I completely agree with your question, that if you have announced someone as captain, then the communication could have been better and people would not get the chance to question the call. It is not nice for Shikhar, as a player, he is very chilled out, he will not care but it is not right for Shikhar Dhawan,”

He added

“Jaisa hai waisa theek hai sir (It is perfectly fine with the way it is). There are so many formats right now, ODIs are perfect with the way they are. You play a 50-over World Cup, so the ODIs are important. Yes, the game can get slow in the middle, and today people like things to be fast-paced.”

Kaif stated, in response to a different NDTV question about whether the ODI format requires any modifications

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“Shikhar Dhawan has a lot of cricket left in him. He is a wonderful batter, he is just playing one format now. He does well in the IPL, he is a wonderful player. Sometimes I get shocked that his name only pops up in ODIs. He is a better player than that, he can play other formats as well. I salute him. He just plays ODIs, but whenever he plays, he scores runs. He did well against the West Indies, he scores whenever he gets an opportunity.”

He added As Kaif continued to discuss Dhawan’s significance

Last but not least, Kaif addressed Virat Kohli’s absence from the ODI series against Zimbabwe

“Only Virat Kohli can tell what he is feeling. I do not know what sort of communication he has with the selectors. But, you would want to play as many matches as possible, irrespective of whether you are in form or not. We can just hope that this break will help him. He did go to the West Indies, he is not going to Zimbabwe, the break he has gotten, we can just hope as Virat Kohli and Indian cricket fans, everyone remembers what he has done. We can just hope the break helps him, he comes in the Asia Cup and plays match-winning knocks. He is a legend of the game.”

He concluded