The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Dhoni fever

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Dhoni fever

HOME, SWEET HOME: Mahendra Singh Dhoni hopes to do well in front of his home fans. — Photo: PTI

Jamshedpur: The mercury is rising in the Steel City and so is the `Mahi-fever,' which has touched a new high here.

This part of the country is now known as `Mahi-land' after the new-style icon of Indian cricket Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who received more than 100 felicitation invitations on his arrival.

Dhoni made it to the State association function and was thronged by youngsters, most of them girls, trying to catch a glimpse of him. Flaunting his newly shaped locks, Dhoni smiled at everyone and obliged the autograph hunters.

Asked about the pressure of playing in front of his home crowd, Dhoni said, ``There is pressure when one plays at home and I am no exception. I will be trying to give my best and try not to disappoint the fans.''

Dhoni, who scored 24 against Pakistan here, said he would ``love to better that.''

Meanwhile, people swarmed the team hotel trying to see the local boy. Posters carrying messages of `Dhoni Dhoni' and `Our hero, our pride Dhoni' were flashed by the young and old, as the team bus skirted through the city roads to reach the stadium.

Despite India having already clinched the series, the enthusiasm of the fans is quite high. — UNI

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