My journey of being a Mahendra Singh Dhoni Fan
2007- Forever
@msdhoni @ChennaiIPL #HappyBirthdayDhoni #HappyBirthdayMahi #HappyBirthdayMSDhoni #HBDDhoni #HBDMsDhoni

Like every other kid in 2007. I was somewhere around 5th grade, don't know what was cricket. But was watching T20 World Cup with my dad. Eyes were searching for Rahul Dravid (Only cricketer I knew) but got fixed into this Mowgli hair one Dhoni and that smile

I used to keep looking for his photos in newspaper. I had a book collection of keeping his pictures (regret losing that). I feel proud of myself witnessing that aggressive Mahi who was rumored with every other actress back then to feel jealous with.

Now the real admiration for Dhoni started when he got signed to play for Chennai Super Kings CSK! First of all excitement began because obviously he has been signed for my native City team. Then came cheering Dhoni for CSK and preferring CSK over my own city team MI.

I had started learning cricket from my dad celebrated the historic Test No 1 spot. I was crushing like mad over Dhoni. Suddenly the news of him getting married were hyped in media, I swear that was the first heartbreak I faced but nevermind am a good person very happy for him.

Now comes the real picture 2011 World Cup, from getting anxious of Dhoni not getting chance in any matches in starting games (ofcourse big fan girl always bragged about him to friends in school) to switching off the TV whenever he got out.

The last six I danced crazy and cried like baby, that was the moment not only me where we all graduated to becoming a Dhoni Devotee. And we started witnessing a serious cricket player MS Dhoni and the legend in making!

I saw tough days coming in, Dhoni and his controversies. I started indulging in fights with Dhoni haters and I swear I have even broken best of best friendship for him. I never really mind because...

I thank my Mahi for giving me great friends, I could ask for! I joined Twitter in hope to get a reply from Dhoni, back in 2013 he used to keep tweeting his fans. Never got any but got many friends I cherish them, they are from different parts of India. Wish I meet you all soon

The so called downfall of Dhoni I witnessed it was painful as a fan 2014 Test retirement, 2015 World Cup Semi Final Losing to My Dhoni missing his daughter's birth this where the respect for him increased to another level!

2016 & 2017 terrible years CSK getting involved in baseless match fixing and getting banned for two years. It was painful to see him in Jim Jam biscuit jersey and he got unnecessary insulted by the owners of that team.

Bitter-Sweet moments have great memories they say, Those two painful years had a ray of hope that is in 2016- We could see his Biopic, then his masterstroke finishing helicopters and stumpings wow!

2018 what a memorable year he was honoured with Lt Colonel of Indian Army! CSK came back and won that edition IPL and we saw new Dhoni as father to little Ziva. We made every haters in Twitter to shut their mouth, its a phase 2 of Dhoni Era which we are witnessing indeed!

Since 2019 he is in a big hiatus break from cricket which is indeed making we fans upset. But we have to deal with the reality, But honestly as a devotee of him I feel proud of his selfless contribution and he deserves to be with his family more.

Only dream it seems to be incomplete is that wanted to see a match in stadium where Dhoni is captaining India side but that couldn't get fulfilled though it got fulfilled in parallel universe of mine!

Finally proud to be have witnessing the journey of a small town Ticket Collector Ranchi boy to a flamboyant cricketer to a matured captain to a Thala Dhoni to a Captain Cool to a Mighty Mahendra Daddy!

I know the thread is way too long but you know when you love someone you can keep writing, talking and thinking about them, Fellow Msdians hope you all loved this thread Thank you!