Parupalli Kashyap introduced himself as Saina Nehwal’s husband, MS Dhoni’s response left him stunned

Indian badminton star Parupalli Kashyap recalled her recent meeting with legendary cricketer MS Dhoni. Kashyap, a former Commonwealth Games gold medalist, is married to the former world no. 1 transporter Saina Nehwal. During a recent podcast appearance, Kashyap revealed that he got the opportunity to meet Dhoni at a wedding. The 37-year-old suggested that since not everyone follows badminton, he introduced himself to Dhoni as Saina’s husband. However, Kashyap revealed that Dhoni’s reaction upon meeting him was something he didn’t expect.

Kashyap recalled that Dhoni, who recognized him for his profession, spoke to him as if he were one of his teammates.

“I met Dhoni recently at a wedding. I introduced myself as Saina’s husband. I thought I am Saina’s date here so that some people who follow sports might recognize me. I am a cricket fan and a 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 you are Saina’s husband.’ He spoke to me like a friend, like I was his teammate,” Kashyap said on Nikhil Tho Natakalu’s podcast.

Affectionately known as Thala, Dhoni led India to three ICC trophies and Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles.

Dhoni played 350 ODI matches over a period of a decade and a half and accumulated 10,773 runs at an average of 50.58. In Test cricket, he represented India in 90 matches and scored around 5,000 runs at an average of 38.09. In the IPL, he scored more than 5000 runs.

The former India captain recently celebrated his 43rd birthday. Having announced his international retirement in 2020, Dhoni only plays in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kashyap, on the other hand, was awarded the government’s Arjuna Award in 2012 after becoming the first Indian men’s badminton player to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics.

He also won the gold medal in men’s singles at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.