Fans swarm Dhoni after England's 125-run win

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was mobbed by hundreds of adoring fans following the third T20 International between England and India at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The spontaneous outpouring of affection for the retired cricketing icon overshadowed a dominant 125-run victory by England on the field.

Dhoni, who was celebrating his 45th birthday, made a surprise appearance at the stadium to watch the match. As he exited the venue, a large crowd gathered, chanting his name and attempting to take photographs. Security personnel formed a protective ring to escort him through the enthusiastic supporters. Videos shared widely on social media showed Dhoni smiling, waving, and remaining characteristically composed amid the chaos.

In one viral moment, Dhoni made a light-hearted hand gesture to the crowd, which many interpreted as him humorously indicating he had grown old. The gesture drew cheers from fans and sparked widespread speculation online about his future, with some suggesting it could be a hint regarding his eventual retirement from the Indian Premier League. Dhoni missed the entire 2026 IPL season with Chennai Super Kings due to injury and...