Srikanth had wished for a signed bat by Dhoni.
Indian ace badminton player Kidami Srikanth was surprised by the BCCI selection committee chairman M.S.K. Prasad when he presented an autographed bat by Indian cricketer MS Dhoni to him.
The Padma Shri awardee Srikanth is a fan of Dhoni. During a chat with India TV earlier this year, the 25-year-old had said he wants calmness like the former India cricket team skipper. "I idolize Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the way he carries himself in pressure situations and maintains his composure is just brilliant and is something which I would like to imbibe in my personality," Srikanth said.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Kidambi won a gold in the mixed team event, and a silver in the singles event. He achieved world number 1 ranking for a week during this period of time.
Fulfilling his promise, MSK Prasad said, “I told him that if he (Srikanth) reached the top level in badminton, he will get his gift. Meanwhile, I had spoken about Srikanth’s wish to MSD. He was more than happy to hear this and he told me that he himself is a regular badminton player and that he followed Indian badminton closely."
It was Srikanth’s father K.V.S. Krishna who had introduced MSK to wicketkeeping. “MSD personally autographed a bat and sent to my house to be presented to Srikanth. So I went all the way to Gopichand Academy to personally hand it over to him,” he said.
Srikanth was very delighted to receive the gift. “I am thrilled at this wonderful gesture. This surely will be one of my most priceless possessions,” said Srikanth, while thanking MSK for his gesture.
(With Sportstar's inputs)