'Pata hai bhai, I know who you're': When Parupalli Kashyap introduced himself to MS Dhoni as Saina Nehwal's husband

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Parupalli Kashyap has shared an anecdote about MS Dhoni when he met the former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain during one of the pre-wedding events of Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant.

Parupalli Kashyap, who won the Arjuna Award for becoming the first Indian men's badminton player to reach the quarterfinals at Olympics, introduced himself as the husband of badminton icon and former world number one Saina Nehwal.

It was then that Parupalli Kashyap, a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, got awestruck by MS Dhoni's humble nature. Dhoni straightforwardly told that he was aware of who he was, adding that there was no need of introducing himself as Saina Nehwal's husband.

"I met Dhoni at a wedding recently. He was going to the washroom when I introduced myself as Saina's husband as I thought I am Saina's plus one here so some people who follow sport might recognise me if I introduce myself as Saina's husband," Kashyap said on Nikhil Tho Natakalu's podcast.

"I am a cricket and Dhoni fan. So, when I met him, he told me 'pata hai bhai. I play badminton. I know who you are and you don't need to tell me that you are Saina's husband.' He spoke to me like a friend, as if I am his teammate. He told me like you played badminton, I played cricket" he added.

MS Dhoni continues to rule hearts despite retiring from international cricket back in 2020. He led Chennai Super Kings to their record-equalling fifth IPL title in 2023 before handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni recently celebrated his 43rd birthday, and is yet to make an official announcement regarding his IPL retirement. He played in the 2024 season despite a troubling knee issue.