Madurai, Oct 9 (NationPress) The former captain of the Indian cricket team, M.S. Dhoni, made a grand appearance on Thursday to inaugurate the Velammal Cricket Stadium located near Chintamani in Madurai. The event attracted huge crowds of fans eager to catch a glimpse of one of India’s most cherished sports figures.

Dhoni, who flew into Madurai from Mumbai via a private flight, served as the honored guest to officially open Tamil Nadu’s second-largest cricket stadium. Constructed at a remarkable cost exceeding Rs 300 crore, this state-of-the-art facility covers 12.5 acres and is poised to become a vital cricketing center in the region.

As he arrived, Dhoni was met by fervent supporters who had gathered at the airport since dawn. This occasion marked his inaugural public engagement in Madurai, adding to its significance for his fans in Tamil Nadu.

Upon landing, Dhoni traveled to the venue in a white vehicle showcasing his iconic jersey number ‘7’, with strict police security in place to control the throngs of admirers. After the inauguration ceremony at the newly constructed Velammal Cricket Stadium, he returned to the airport — this time in a blue car also featuring the number ‘7’ — and departed back to Mumbai on a private charter.

The event garnered immense attention, not just for the scale of the new cricket infrastructure but also for Dhoni's presence, whose popularity continues to resonate across generations.

The Velammal Cricket Stadium, developed by the Velammal Education Trust in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), can accommodate 7,300 spectators, with plans for future expansion to 20,000.

Recently, Dhoni celebrated completing his drone pilot training, which received widespread acclaim on social media. He finished his course at Garuda Aerospace, India’s premier drone manufacturer and DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) in Chennai, where he also serves as the brand ambassador.

Netizens reacted positively to the news of Dhoni achieving certification as a drone pilot, marking a significant milestone as one of India’s most honored sports icons ventures into the future of aviation technology.

After successfully completing the demanding training program, Dhoni is now certified to operate drones, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize India’s growth narrative. This training is a vital step towards encouraging certified and safe drone operations, combining rigorous theoretical instruction with intensive practical flying sessions using simulators and real drones.