Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has rejected the Jharkhand State Cricket Association's (JSCA) invitation to inaugurate a pavilion named after him at his home stadium in Ranchi (JSCA stadium).
Ahead of India's third ODI against Australia in Dhoni's hometown, JSCA had invited the wicketkeeper-batsman for the inauguration on Wednesday. The request though was duly rejected by the 37-year-old citing that it would make him feel like an outsider.
"At the AGM last year, the decision was taken that the North Block stand that includes media enclosure as well as VIP boxes would be named after Dhoni," said JSCA secretary Debashis Chakraborty.
"We requested him, but he said 'Dada apne hi ghar mein kya inaugurate karna.' (What's there to inaugurate in my own house). He is still so humble and down to earth."
It was around a week or two ago that the southern end pavilion of the JSCA stadium was named after the state's most beloved cricketer, hence the idea of a little inauguration was planned. The humble reprobation by the 37-year-old, however, has been sportingly accepted by the association.
"He said that he is honoured by the gesture and we let the matter drop," Chakraborty said.
Following India's back to back ODI victories, the Men in Blue will now take on the Aussies in third of the five ODI series on 8th of March in Ranchi, with the game potentially being Dhoni's last at the JSCA stadium.
