Before the fourth Test against England in Ranchi, Indian cricketer Shubman Gill paid tribute to MS Dhoni, highlighting the void felt across the nation in Dhoni’s absence, irrespective of the match’s venue.
India is set to compete against England in the fourth Test at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, starting on Friday, February 23. Holding a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, India aims to secure an unbeatable advantage by clinching victory in the fourth Test.
Shubman Gill Paid Heartfelt Tribute To MS Dhoni
During a pre-match press conference in Ranchi, Gill shared his thoughts on Dhoni, acknowledging the significance of playing in the hometown of the former Indian captain.
“The whole of India misses Mahi bhai a lot. It doesn’t matter where you play, in Ranchi or anywhere else,” Gill replied.
Dhoni, a cricket icon, continues to hold immense popularity in Indian cricket circles even after retiring from international cricket in 2020. Fans eagerly await his appearance in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The 42-year-old maestro previously guided the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a remarkable fifth title victory in the 2023 season, solidifying his status as one of the most successful captains in IPL history.
Dhruv Jurel Revealed How MS Dhoni Inspired him
Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper from Uttar Pradesh, marked his Test debut in the recent India-England match held in Rajkot. Joining the ranks of many Indian players, Jurel also experienced a memorable fan moment inspired by Dhoni.
Speaking about the same, Jurel told bcci.tv:
“I was just watching him and stood up, like ‘is this MS Dhoni standing in front of me’. That was the first time I interacted with MS Dhoni, so I was just pinching myself, ‘Is this a dream?’ I met him in 2021, I guess, my first year of IPL. I asked him, ‘can I have one photo with you’ and we clicked a photo. He gave me one advice — just go out, watch the ball and play.”
He added: “It is always my dream to meet Mahi bhai. The last I met him was in IPL, but I wanted to meet him in India jersey. Whenever I spoke to him, I got to learn some things and that helped a lot in my cricket. I will try to meet Mahi bhai in Ranchi and talk to him,”
In his noteworthy Test debut in Rajkot, Dhruv Jurel showcased his talent. He contributed with the bat, scoring 46 runs, and displayed sharp fielding skills by executing a superb run-out of Ben Duckett.
