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Fact Check: Did MS Dhoni really attend the India vs South Africa first ODI in Ranchi?

Kaushik Kashyap

MS Dhoni with wife Sakshi in Ranchi Stadium. [Source - @thodasasanskari/x.com]MS Dhoni with wife Sakshi in Ranchi Stadium. [Source - @thodasasanskari/x.com]

Ranchi was ablaze with excitement as Virat Kohli smashed his 52nd ODI century in the first ODI of the three match series against South Africa on Sunday. Fans were buzzing, not just about the innings, but also about a supposed sighting of MS Dhoni in the stands with his wife Sakshi.

Social media lit up with an image of Dhoni and Sakshi watching the game, sparking nostalgia and hope. The demigod of Indian cricket, the World Cup-winning skipper, is always a magnet for fans whenever India plays in his city, but was Dhoni really watching India vs South Africa first ODI in the stadium?

Separating rumor from reality: Dhoni in the stands?

Despite the viral photo, the truth is different. The image circulating online is from a T20I match from the past between India and New Zealand in Ranchi back in January 2023. Dhoni and Sakshi were spotted in one of the boxes back then, enjoying the game, but this snapshot has nothing to do with Sunday's ODI against the Proteas.

MS Dhoni remains an icon for Indian cricket fans, especially in Ranchi, but reports and some of his videos online suggest he was in Bengaluru on Saturday, likely attending an event. There is no confirmed sighting of him at the ground for the first ODI. The curiosity surrounding his presence always fuels social media speculation, which explains why the old picture resurfaced and went viral.

That said, Dhoni did spend quality time with members of Team India recently, inviting a few, including Virat Kohli to his home for dinner. The duo was also spotted driving to the team hotel, fueling buzz about their camaraderie. 

While Kohli lit up Ranchi with his masterful 52nd ODI century, fans could not help but imagine how perfect the evening might have been if Dhoni had witnessed the king owning the crease firsthand.