Former India captain MS Dhoni once again proved why he remains one of India’s most loved sporting icons as he inaugurated the Velammal Cricket Stadium near Chintamani in Madurai on Thursday. The event drew massive crowds, with fans lining up since early morning to catch a glimpse of the legendary cricketer.
The stadium, built at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore, is Tamil Nadu’s second-largest cricket facility, spread across 12.5 acres, and promises to become a key hub for nurturing cricketing talent in southern India. MS Dhoni, who flew in from Mumbai on a private jet, was the chief guest for the grand inauguration ceremony.
His arrival sparked fan frenzy at the airport, with thousands of admirers waving banners and chanting his name. This marked Dhoni’s first public event in Madurai, making it a memorable day for both the fans and the city’s cricketing community.
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Escorted with tight police security, Dhoni travelled to the venue in a white car bearing his iconic number ‘7’, a number that has become synonymous with his career. After the official ceremony, which included unveiling the new cricket facility and addressing the crowd, Dhoni departed for Mumbai in a blue car—again numbered ‘7’, maintaining his signature style.
MS DHONI INAUGURATED THE INTERNATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM IN MADURAI. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gqSELQPzEC
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) October 9, 2025
Dhoni Batting at New Stadium in Madurai 💛🔥 pic.twitter.com/bRIsOdBo7M
— Ayyappan (@Ayyappan_1504) October 9, 2025
A little boy touched MS Dhoni’s feet in the stadium 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/eRc94Fl30D
— ` (@WorshipDhoni) October 9, 2025
Developed by the Velammal Education Trust in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), the stadium currently seats 7,300 spectators, with future expansion plans to increase capacity to 20,000. Its modern amenities and infrastructure aim to elevate the cricketing standards in the region, potentially hosting domestic tournaments and training camps for aspiring players.
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Interestingly, Dhoni has also been in the spotlight recently for a completely different achievement. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper completed his drone pilot training at Garuda Aerospace, a DGCA-approved organisation in Chennai, where he also serves as the brand ambassador. Fans flooded social media with praise as Dhoni became a certified drone pilot, showcasing his continued curiosity and commitment to embracing new technology.
By successfully completing the intensive program, Dhoni not only expanded his horizons beyond cricket but also emphasized the importance of safe and certified drone operations—a step that aligns with India’s growing technological ambitions.
