'Won't leave until I meet him' - Crazy MS Dhoni fan, Aadesh Soni staying in Ranchi for over a month

Cricket in India is more than a mere sport. The undying fervour in the heart of fans to support and cheer the players truly knows no bounds. How else do you explain moments and gestures likes those of Aadesh Soni, a Chhattisgarh resident camping in Ranchi for a month and a half, hell-bent to meet his cricketing idol Mahendra Singh Dhoni?

Upon reaching Dhoni’s hometown, Soni learned that his hero isn’t available to meet him, as he is on duty in the United Arab Emirates, leading his team Chennai Super Kings. But did that deter Soni’s spirit? “Definitely not”. The diehard Dhoni fan has certain attributes of his idol. He is patient and calm and has vowed to not leave the town until he meets MSD.

Soni confesses that the major reason he loves Dhoni as much he does is how he defied all odds to rise above the rest, hailing from a hinterland in Jharkhand. Soni, a father of two, adds that he wants to do something similar in his life.

On his journey to Ranchi, however, Soni upset his wife, who was initially not happy with the decision, but perhaps that was a small price to pay for Soni, who eventually got her onboard. Soni’s story is only one of the many berserk tales. Crazier, belief-defying things have been done.

For instance, another ardent Dhoni fan, Ajay Gill, did not shy from walking a mind-boggling 1400 kilometres – from Haryana’s Hisar to Ranchi – to get a glimpse of his idol. However, much like Soni’s case, Dhoni was in the UAE for the IPL. Gill, a barber by profession, had amazed everyone with his MSD-dedicated hairstyle, as he had ‘Dhoni’ and ‘Mahi’ written on either side of his head, dyed in the colours of India’s national jersey.

MS Dhoni, arguably one of the most successful cricket captains ever, bid adieu to international cricket in August 2020, having represented the country in 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is, with 17,266 international runs to his name. Despite having left the game, the love and respect for him in the minds of his supporters remains intact. The Sonis and Gills are only a few examples.