The legendary MS Dhoni made a rare appearance at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, March 5, to witness India’s high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal clash against England. While the former captain typically maintains a low profile, reports indicate he was already in Mumbai to attend the wedding ceremony of Arjun Tendulkar, son of his longtime teammate Sachin Tendulkar. His presence in the stands added an extra layer of nostalgia and excitement to an already electric atmosphere.
MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma in attendance to watch IND vs ENG T20 World Cup semifinal
During the match, fans on social media quickly circulated footage of Dhoni and his wife, Sakshi, reacting to the action on the field. In a standout moment during the 16th over, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav executed a trademark sweep for six against leg-spinner Adil Rashid. As the ball cleared the ropes, the broadcast cameras panned to the VIP stands, capturing a smiling Dhoni applauding the brilliance of the current skipper.
The star power in the stands didn't end there, as Rohit Sharma was also seen joining the duo for a brief but warm interaction. Rohit, who led India to glory in the 2024 edition, is serving as the official ICC brand ambassador for this tournament and has been a frequent face at matches. The sight of the two World Cup-winning captains sharing a hug and a quick chat became an instant highlight for spectators, bridging two eras of Indian cricket.
Watch the video here:
India post colossal total of 253/7
Talking about the match, the Indian batting lineup delivered a powerhouse performance that would have surely impressed the legendary captain. The Men in Blue dominated the England bowling attack to finish with a massive total of 253/7 after their 20 overs. This record-breaking score set England a daunting target, requiring them to pull off one of the greatest chases in T20 international history to reach the final.
The foundation for this mammoth total was laid by Sanju Samson, Dhoni’s high-profile new teammate at Chennai Super Kings, who blazed 89 runs off just 42 deliveries. His explosive innings provided the necessary platform for the middle order to capitalize. Impactful cameos from Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma ensured the team maintained a high scoring rate until the final ball, giving India a commanding position in the semi-final.