MS Dhoni gifts signed bat to Kidambi Srikanth, courtesy MSK Prasad

New Delhi, May 20: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018, gave a pleasant surprise to ace India shuttler Kidambi Srikanth.

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The Hyderabad shuttler, who is a big MS Dhoni fan, he received a cricket bat signed by the former India captain from BCCI selection committee chairman MSK Prasad.

Srikanth, who was briefly World No. 1 recently but is currently ranked No. 4, had asked Prasad for a gift from Dhoni. Srikanth's father KVS Krishna had introduced Prasad to wicket-keeping.

"I would like to inform you that Kidambi Srikanth is the son of my childhood ideal from Guntur who introduced me to cricket, i.e. Kittu uncle.

"Srikanth is a big fan of MS Dhoni. One fine day he has asked me a gift from MS Dhoni. I told if he can reach the top level in badminton, then he will get his gift," Prasad said after handing over the bat to Srikkanth at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Prasad said when he told Dhoni about Srikkanth's desire, the former captain was more than happy to oblige.

"I have spoken about Srikanth's wish to MSD. He was more than happy to hear this and he told me he himself is a badminton player and follows Indian badminton very closely. MSD has sent personally signed autographed bat to my house as a gift to Srikanth," he said.

The shuttler took to his Twitter handle to express his happiness over the pleasant surprise he received from his cricketing idol.

"Thank you @msdhoni for the wonderful gift and can't tell how happy I am. This just made my day.🤩😁 #MSDhoni #fanmoment," wrote Srikanth.

Srikanth is an avid CSK supporter and the franchise had designed a Yellow Jersey in Srikanth's name with no. 7 and gifted it to him.

(With inputs from PTI)