Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni ranks among the most loved cricketers this world has ever seen. Apart from his heroics on the 22 yards, the 37-year-old’s simplicity and humble nature have helped him develop a staggering fan base not only in India but all across the globe.
And for a fact, Mahi has proved it time and time again. From stopping his car to talk to a little boy to walking down the stands to meet an elderly fan, there are numerous stories which can be put forward as examples.
However, the best one out of these would definitely be the Ranchi-born cricketer’s relationship with a Pakistani fan of his, Mohammad Bashir aka ‘Chacha Chicago’. The story roots back to the 2011 World Cup when Dhoni went out of his way to arrange a match ticket for Chacha, who wanted to witness the high-octane semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali.
The bond grew stronger ever since, as Bashir was bowled over by the world cup winning captain’s generosity.
“I don’t call him as he is so busy. I keep in touch only through text messages. Long before I came here, Dhoni assured me of the ticket. He is a great human being. I can’t think of anyone else doing what he has done for me since that 2011 game in Mohali.”
Dhoni has arranged tickets for his die-hard fan on several occasions and with the same hope, Bashir has flown into Manchester from Chicago (approximately 6000 km) for Sunday’s electrifying Indo-Pak contest without a match ticket. He knows, that Mahi will make sure he gets to watch the match from the stands. Speaking about the same, Bashir says,
“I arrived here yesterday and saw that people are ready to pay as much as 800-900 pounds for a ticket. A return ticket from Chicago costs the same. Thanks to Dhoni, I don’t have to struggle for a match ticket.”
Bashir has also brought a surprise gift for his idol this time and wishes to hand it over to him.
“Imagine I get the ticket for free when most would pay a fortune for it. I have got a surprise gift for him this time and I hope to give it to him later today.”
Though Bashir runs a restaurant in Chicago he was born in Pakistan. While Dhoni is a major reason behind his love for India, his Hyderabadi wife also has a role to play here. Calling himself an ambassador of peace, Bashir has a unique matchday uniform which expresses his love for both the countries.
What a wonderful story to start your day with. Players will come and go but there will not be another Mahendra Singh Dhoni.