New Delhi: Although CSK’s fans were ready to cheer for their team during the IPL 2025 clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 20, a resemblance to CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni created quite a stir. Many fans saw the double of Dhoni as the game was playing, which distracted them from the real star and made them line up to take selfies with him. Since then, this unique crowd has captured attention online, causing excitement and making it a popular topic people talk about.
After winning the toss against Rajasthan Royals, CSK, guided by Dhoni, chose to bat first in IPL 2025’s 62nd match. Since neither team could make the playoffs, they focused on improving their methods. However, true excitement was evident in the stands, where a crowd of fans surrounded a man who bore a striking resemblance to Dhoni. Seeing the likeness, spectators left Dhoni’s innings to get pictures taken with the impostor. This caused the game and the impersonator’s actions to seem completely unique.
Rishabh Malakar, a famous social media personality thanks to his Dhoni resemblance, was the man caught up in the situation. Because he has almost 90,000 Instagram followers, many people confuse Malakar with the sportsman. Talking about his plans on Instagram ahead of the game, he teased fans by saying he would be at the CSK versus Rajasthan Royals match in Delhi. Fans became extremely excited when they spotted him in the stands, mimicking Dhoni, and took numerous selfies instead of watching the game.
Users on X quickly shared photos and videos of Malakar, and everyone enjoyed the funny side of the situation. On its X account, the Dinda Academy published a pic and wrote, “Thala is always present.” The humour in the comments continued, and one person said, “This is the original captain, Dhoni; the other one, who isn’t real, was captaining Chennai, so they were eliminated.” The viral post revealed just how much Indian cricket fans adore Dhoni, even when someone else looks like him.
At the same time, real-life Dhoni couldn’t contribute much. As the final batter, he earned 16 runs from 17 balls, hitting one six, as CSK reached an impressive total. Even though Dhoni didn’t hit as many runs as before, his appeal to fans makes it strange that some were distracted by Malakar during the game. His remarkable charm was obvious even then, since it influenced those like him, not only his teammates.
What happened at the Arun Jaitley Stadium proved how beloved Dhoni is in many people’s minds. That a similar-looking man could make the headlines reveals how popular Sehwag still is. The occasion allowed Rishabh Malakar to shine in front of crowds, whereas fans enjoyed seeing their beloved Dhoni. The weird sideshow at IPL 2025 will be remembered for years, proving how much Dhoni means to both the game and to his fans.