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Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
What's the age gap between MS Dhoni and Sakshi Dhoni? All you need to know about the cricket world's power couple
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sakshi Dhoni are one of the power couples in the cricket world. The couple often showers love on each other on social media. Do you know Sakshi is 7 years younger than MS Dhoni? Here's all you need to know about their age gap and love story. MS Dhoni and Sakshi Dhoni's 7-year age gap Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Bihar, on July 7, 1981. While Dhoni is a cricketer by profession, his wife, Sakshi Dhoni, is a hotel management graduate. Sakshi was born on November 19, 1988, in Assam. The couple has a seven-year age gap between them. While the cricketer is 44, Sakshi is 37 years old. How their romance started Mahendra Singh Dhoni tied the knot with Sakshi Singh Rawat on July 4, 2010. The duo dated for around two years and are happily married. They have a cute daughter, Ziva Dhoni, who they welcomed on February 6, 2015. MS Dhoni pursued his school education from DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir in Ranchi, where he started playing football as a goalkeeper. Sakshi attended the same school; however, they met much later on. MS Dhoni and Sakshi reconnected after a decade. They met at Taj Bengal, Kolkata, a five-star hotel, in 2017. Sakshi was working as an intern there. Soon, their love story blossomed. MS Dhoni's rising cricket career, retirement, and more Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the greatest right-handed batsmen and a wicket-keeper that India feels proud of. During his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Dhoni made his debut in 2004, where he represented the Indian national cricket team in an ODI against Bangladesh. The cricketer played his first test a year later against Sri Lanka. MS Dhoni announced his retirement from International cricket on August 15, 2020. The 44-year-old legendary cricketer continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He represents Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Did you know about Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sakshi Dhoni 's age gap? Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Second Test at the magnificent MCG looms for the Lions
IT DOESN'T TAKE long in Melbourne to get a reminder of how far down the food chain rugby union is in these parts. A run out to the Melbourne Sports Precinct brings you to a point where all you can see in every direction is sports stadiums and training facilities There's the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground [MCG] looming up into view. Referred to simply as 'The G' by locals, it's one of the biggest stadiums in the world. It has hosted two Cricket World Cup finals, an Olympic Games, and is the spiritual home of the Australian Football League [AFL]. The state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, is home to 10 of the 18 AFL clubs. So there is a constant schedule of Aussie rules games at the imposing MCG, with the remainder taking place across town at the 53,000-capacity Marvel Stadium, where the Lions play their final midweek game tomorrow. On Thursday night, Hawthorn take on Carlton at the MCG, then on Friday night it's Essendon versus the Western Bulldogs at the Marvel. On Sunday, the MCG hosts Richmond against AFL leaders Collingwood, while Marvel is the venue for St Kilda against Melbourne FC. In between on Saturday, there is the Lions' second Test against the Wallabies. The G is home to the Melbourne Stars, who play in Australia's professional Twenty20 cricket competition called the Big Bash League, while the Melbourne Renegades play over in Marvel Stadium. Advertisement An aerial view of the Melbourne Sports Precinct. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo This week, Andy Farrell's men are training at Xavier College out in the eastern suburb of Kew. The grounds of the private school are stunning and the sporting facilities are obviously state-of-the-art. One member of staff at Xavier College who had the physique of a Lions player was bemused today when asked if he plays rugby union. He, like most people around here, is an Aussie Rules man. Xavier College is a major production line for the AFL. Rugby barely registers. One of the lads on the security team said the AFL organisation are 'a bunch of w***ers' who don't put enough money back into the grassroots, but the sport is booming. Back in the Sports Precinct, you glance around at the Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and Show Court Arena, the venues where Melbourne hosts the Australian Open tennis tournament. The John Caine Arena is also home to both of Melbourne's professional basketball sides, the South East Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne United. Basketball is a huge participation sport in Victoria. And they even squeeze Melbourne's two professional netball clubs, the Vixen and the Mavericks, into the same John Caine Arena. Netball is huge among female athletes all over Australia. Just across the road is AFL club Collingwood's vast training facility, with an outdoor oval alongside it. On the other side of that oval is AAMI Park, which was home to the rugby union's Melbourne Rebels until they shut down last year. The Melbourne Storm, a highly successful rugby league franchise in the NRL, play at AAMI Park, as do two of the city's three professional A-League soccer teams, Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory. And don't forget that only a few kilometres away is the Albert Park Circuit, home of the annual Australian Grand Prix in Formula One. The G holds 100,000 people. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Swimming is popular here too, there's hockey, and the evidence of the past couple of days suggests the people of Melbourne enjoy their running. So you can see why the Rebels struggled to get a long-term foothold in this sports-crazy city. This is another level of competition for eyeballs and hard-earned dollars. Rugby union isn't near the top of the agenda here. When we happened upon a steak restaurant last night and ducked in for a meal, there was a big group of Wallabies players already getting stuck into their food. The staff could see they were big lads but didn't know who they were, although they did confirm that most ordered two mains. And yet, the MCG will welcome a gigantic rugby union crowd on Saturday night for the Lions' Test against the Wallabies. It's expected that there will be more than 90,000 people at The G and though that may be short of the 100,000 capacity, it is still a remarkable number. The record for a Lions game is 95,000 in Johannesburg, South Africa back in 1955 so to even come close to that would be astonishing, all the more so given how much the Wallabies have struggled in recent years. Some will paint it as a negative if the MCG doesn't sell out, but such a big crowd would prove just how big a draw the Lions remain, especially in a country with as many expats as Australia. With many of those Lions fans off touring elsewhere in Australia for the early part of this week, the second Wallabies Test might not impact much on Melbourne life until they roll into town. That won't stop the earlier-arriving media from discovering the city's many cracking restaurants and bars, as well as taking in some of the feast of sport this place can offer. By Saturday night, the place will be rocking with rugby union supporters. And then by the following afternoon, life will have moved swiftly back onto the AFL.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Three U20 stars destined to become Springboks
The Junior Springboks provided an encouraging indication that South African rugby remains in remarkable health as they powered to the U20 Championship title with a resounding win over New Zealand this past weekend. There were a host of highlights during the tournament, and although it's almost unfair to single out players when it was such a special team effort overall, there is no doubt that some individuals truly put up their hands to be recognised as stars for the future. Haashim Pead In recent years, the Springboks have impressively expanded their depth at scrumhalf, with no less than four No 9s travelling to the 2023 World Cup. What is now hugely exciting for the future is the emergence of Junior Springbok sensation Haashim Pead, who consistently set the U20 tournament alight. Boasting incredible pace, X factor and a strong kicking game, there is every reason to believe that the 20-year-old could receive a call up to the Springboks sooner rather than later. Bathobele Hlekani Now, hold the phone. If there is another player to get truly excited about, Hlekani stands quite literally heads and shoulders above the rest. Standing at 1.93 m tall (6 ft 4 in) and weighing in at around 115 kg, the Junior Springboks' blindside flank sometimes appeared like a man amongst boys as so many opponents felt the full force of his physicality. Despite his size, Hlekani also posseses plenty of pace, a strong step and good hands, and he undoubtedly has all the attributes to be the next big thing in South African rugby. Riley Norton Pure talent runs through the veins of the Junior Springboks' captain, who also represented South AFrica in the 2024 U19 Cricket World Cup. Having shifted his focus to rugby, the talented 19-year-old certainly caught the eye as a result of his excellent leadership and consistent on-field performances. The athletic lock is a tackling machine, as reflected by his tally of 24 in the final, and there is simply no doubt that a player with his personality and potential will be firmly on the radar of Rassie Erasmus. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Greatest day of my life': Junior Boks captain Norton lifts U20 Champs trophy
The Junior Springboks beat New Zealand in the final after going through the tournament in Italy unbeaten. Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton poses with the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy after his team defeated the Junior All Blacks in the final in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday night. Picture:Rising sports star Riley Norton celebrated the 'greatest day of his life' after the Junior Springboks defeated fierce rivals, the Junior All Blacks, 23-15 in the World Rugby U20 Championship final in Rovigo, Italy on Saturday night. The Junior Boks completed an unbeaten championship run, after they powered their way through the pool stage and semifinal, setting up a classic against their biggest rivals New Zealand, and duly dispatched them to become just the second South African team to win the junior title. They emulate the class of 2012, who featured players such as Pieter-Steph du Toit, Handre Pollard and Steven Kitshoff, who all went on to become double World Cup winners with the Springboks, and some of these young up and coming talents will have dreams of doing the same. Dual star For Norton, who is a dual sports star, it was extra special as he was able to wash away the disappointment of losing in the semifinals of the 2024 U19 Cricket World Cup, with him able to lift the prestigious U20 title as the captain of the Junior Boks just over a year later. After the match Norton praised the entire SA U20 group that took part in Italy, and also gave props to the Junior All Blacks for contributing to a great final. 'I am quite emotional. I am just so proud, because the amount of work we put in after not a great TRC (U20 Rugby Championship in SA), our backs were against the wall, and we just came out and gave it everything,' said Norton. 'The group is unbelievable. The players, management and coaches, we all pulled in to a common idea, and it wasn't easy at times. But this is the greatest day of my life and I am so proud of everyone. 'Also hats off to New Zealand, they are an unbelievable team. We have the highest respect for them and they never go away. So to play a final against them was extremely special and something we will cherish for a very long time.' Asked about the match, Norton said their plan was to dominate physically, and that is exactly what they did, especially on defence which came to the fore as they defended their line brilliantly on a number of occasions, while they also score two tries to lift their incredible tournament tally to 35 in five games. Show up physically 'We just said we have to show up physically. That's our DNA, that's where South Africans get their energy and their passion from. At the set piece, the mauls, the scrums, just the hits (tackles). I think the guys did that for 80 minutes,' explained Norton. 'We never backed down and I think that's where we get our DNA from. And of course Simphiwe Moyo (flyhalf), with an unbelievable boot, always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties. He's amazing and will still be here next year. 'So I am so proud of the guys, I actually have no words. It's been an extremely special couple of weeks in Italy, and I am struggling to put it into words.' Although expectation were high after their dominant run to the final saw them head into the game as slight favourites, Norton claimed the team never felt any pressure. 'We never felt pressure. Of course there were a few nerves which was expected, but that's a good thing. Thanks to the amount of support we received from South Africa, getting videos from all our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us,' said Norton. 'It was just unbelievable, and I am so proud to be South African. We couldn't have done it without our fans back home cheering us on every step of the way. I think the sport culture in South Africa is so special and without it we wouldn't be in this situation. 'To everyone back home, we appreciate you guys so much, we couldn't have done this without you and we can't wait to bring the trophy home to all of you guys.'
Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Yuvraj Singh Almost Missed 2011 World Cup — Gary Kirsten Reveals Shocking Detail
India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Yuvraj Singh was a big reason for the win. But many people don't know he was almost not picked for the team. Coach Gary Kirsten said that some selectors didn't want Yuvraj in the team. But Kirsten and captain MS Dhoni believed in him. They wanted him because he had experience and skill. Kirsten said, 'Thank goodness we picked him.' Yuvraj later became the Player of the Tournament! In 2010, Yuvraj was not playing well. But he worked hard to get better. He got help from Paddy Upton, the team's mental coach. They helped him get ready. In the 2011 World Cup: He scored 362 runs Took 15 wickets Hit a century against West Indies Scored 50 runs and took 5 wickets against Ireland Helped India beat Australia in the quarter-final Took wickets in every knockout match Was on the field when Dhoni hit the winning six in the final This World Cup was very special for Yuvraj. After the tournament, he found out he had cancer. But his performance showed how strong and talented he was. Kirsten said that sometimes Yuvraj could be difficult, but he always enjoyed watching him bat. He called Yuvraj's World Cup story amazing.
