Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya hugged Chennai Super Kings keeper-batter MS Dhoni warmly at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium ahead of their IPL 2025 clash on March 23, Sunday. In a video shared by the Super Kings' official social media handle, the seam-bowling all-rounder seemed like he didn't want to let go of Dhoni.
Having played for several years together for the national team, Pandya harbours plenty of respect for the legendary keeper-batter. It was also under Dhoni that the Baroda-born cricketer had made his international debut in 2016 and has now grown into one of the best all-rounders when it comes to white-ball cricket.
However, Pandya must sit out of Mumbai Indians' opening fixture of the edition owing to a ban imposed due to slow over-rate in the previous edition. Hence, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the five-time champions as they look to turn their form around from the previous season.
"I think he is one of the nicest people I have met" - Hardik Pandya on MS Dhoni
After the IPL 2023 final when his side Gujarat Titans lost a close bout to the Super Kings, the star cricketer had said:
"I'm very happy for him [Dhoni]. Destiny had this written for him. If I had to lose, I don't mind losing to him. I said last year that good things happen to good people. I think he is one of the nicest people I have met. God has been kind to me, but I think God gave him a little more today."
Both Chennai and Mumbai had failed to reach the top four last year.
