'Mahi Bhai Is My Guru': Khaleel Ahmed Opens Up About His Bond With MS Dhoni

India's fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed recently shared a touching story about his special relationship with the legendary captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He described Dhoni as more than just a friend or elder brother, calling him his 'guru' during a conversation with Aakash Chopra on YouTube.

Reflecting on the Asia Cup 2018, Khaleel recounted how Dhoni significantly impacted his career. During this tournament, Khaleel made his ODI debut and had the opportunity to bowl the first over for India, fulfilling one of his childhood dreams.

"Mahi bhai is not my friend, not my elder brother, he is my guru. Since my childhood, I wanted to become the bowler who took the first over from India since I had watched Zaheer Khan growing up. In the Asia Cup, Mahi bhai asked me to bowl the first over. I ran so hard, away from the huddle thinking that if I give it time he might change his mind," Khaleel said.

Another cherished memory for Khaleel involves a viral photo with Dhoni during India's tour of New Zealand in 2019. In this picture, Dhoni is seen giving flowers to Khaleel. The young pacer revealed that these flowers were initially given to Dhoni by fans, and he passed them on to Khaleel.

"We were in New Zealand, Mahi bhai's fans had given him flowers, he passed it onto me and some fans took a photo, it was quite memorable for me," Khaleel added.

The left-arm pacer was included in the Zimbabwe T20 series and was part of the travelling reserves in the T20 World Cup. MS Dhoni, on the other hand, participated in IPL 2024 and is expected to play next season as well.

Khaleel's stories highlight not only his admiration for Dhoni but also how pivotal moments with him have shaped his career. These anecdotes offer a glimpse into their unique bond and underscore Dhoni's influence on young cricketers.