Chennaiyin FC midfielder Anirudh Thapa is among the huge admirers of former India cricket MS Dhoni. Thapa had the privilege to interact with Dhoni, who co-owns the Indian Super League football club Chennaiyin FC.

The 22-year-old called Dhoni down to earth and also his favorite cricketer. "He (Dhoni) used to come whenever we had a team lunch. He would stay back to talk to the boys and shared his experiences. He’s a very down to earth guy. Obviously, Thala is my favorite cricketer,” Thapa said.

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“There were others who also asked him to come and sit with them, but instead he always preferred to sit with the footballers. He would say ‘Let me sit with the boys and let me share some experiences’.”

Thapa also got to know about the on and off-field experience of Dhoni. The footballer still holds the memory of the Indian cricket team winning World Cup 2011 in his heart. “He told us a lot about the struggles he has had to face in his own life and about his journey in cricket,” Thapa said in a chat session with the Indian football team.

“He also talked about the feeling and the moment when India won the World Cup. And that is something I will always remember because he is such a nice guy. What he has done and how successful he is can be seen by all. Hats off to you, Thala.”

Thapa, who has played 24 matches for India since 2017, expressed what went through his mind after being appointed as U-22 captain. 

“Honestly, at that time, I didn’t think that I deserved to be the captain. I spoke to my parents before the match but never told them that I was going to captain (the side).

“It was only then they watched it on TV that they realized it. It was more special because I had an assist in a goal and we won the match. I was happy that I could make my parents happy.”