Watch: MS Dhoni melts hearts with sweet gesture for kid in Edgbaston stands

MS Dhoni once again showed why he remains one of the most beloved figures in world cricket as the former India captain took part in the opening ODI between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday 14 July. Almost six years after bringing the curtain down on his international career, Dhoni continues to command immense attention and his latest performance has quickly become one of the biggest talking points of the game.

England vs India 1st ODI: Update | Scorecard

The 45-year-old, who had been closely following India’s tour of England, was spotted in the stands as the television cameras panned towards him. The Edgbaston crowd erupted in applause at the sight of the legendary batsman, but it was his interaction with a young fan that really stole the show.

In a heartwarming moment that soon went viral on social media, a child sitting near Dhoni offered him popcorn. The former captain, known for his humility and down-to-earth nature, gladly accepted the gesture and shared a smile with the young man. Moments later, the boy offered him the popcorn again, only for Dhoni to politely decline, indicating that he had had enough.

DHONI CONTINUES TO PUBLIC

Dhoni has been regularly attending matches in India this year. Earlier in March, he participated in India’s T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where he was seen enjoying the match from the stands. He later traveled to Ahmedabad for the final in which India defeated New Zealand to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup and lift the trophy for a record third time.

The former India captain also celebrated his 45th birthday at Trent Bridge earlier this month while watching the third T20I between India and England. His performances at various venues in England have drawn huge crowds, underscoring the fans’ affection for one of the biggest icons of Indian cricket.

DHONI’S IPL FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN

While Dhoni’s popularity remains as strong as ever, uncertainty still surrounds his future in the Indian Premier League. The Chennai Super Kings stalwart did not feature in IPL 2026, ending an extraordinary run that saw him represent the franchise for nearly two decades.

Dhoni has often shied away from giving definitive answers about his future, preferring to take the decision to retire on his own terms. With IPL 2027 still some time away, neither Dhoni nor Super Kings provided any clarity over a possible return.

For now, fans can only wait. Yet, whether standing behind the stumps or simply sharing popcorn with a young fan in the stands, Dhoni continues to create moments that transcend the game itself.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 Jul 2026 19:59 IST