Watch: Fans pour milk on giant MS Dhoni cut-outs as Vijayawada celebrations begin ahead of his 45th birthday

Former India captain MS Dhoni will celebrate his 45th birthday on July 7. Popularly known as "Mahi" among fans and teammates, Dhoni continues to enjoy one of the biggest fan followings in Indian cricket. Ahead of his birthday, fans across the country have started celebrating the occasion in different ways to honour one of India's greatest cricketers.

The celebrations began early in Vijayawada, where hundreds of fans gathered to mark the occasion before Dhoni's birthday. Several videos shared on social media showed supporters cheering, waving flags, and celebrating their favourite cricketer with great enthusiasm.

One of the highlights of the celebrations was the unveiling of giant cut-outs of Dhoni in both the India and Chennai Super Kings jerseys. Fans also performed a milk abhishek by pouring milk over the cut-outs, a tradition commonly followed in South India to express love and respect for sporting icons.

Watch the viral video here:

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A post shared by Vijayawada City Of Royalty (@vijayawada_city_of_royalty)

Thousands gather overnight as Dhoni's 45th birthday countdown begins in Vijayawada

Thousands of MS Dhoni fans gathered in Vijayawada as the countdown to his 45th birthday began. Videos shared on social media showed a huge crowd cheering, recording the celebrations on their mobile phones, and celebrating as the giant cut-outs of Dhoni were unveiled. One of the clips was posted by the X account Dhoni Trends, which wrote, "MS Dhoni's 45th birthday celebrations have officially begun in Vijayawada."

Dhoni continues to enjoy unmatched popularity among cricket fans in India. Every year, his birthday is celebrated with cake-cutting ceremonies, charity drives, bike rallies, and large fan gatherings in different parts of the country. His fans leave no stone unturned to make the occasion memorable.

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This year, Vijayawada has once again emerged as one of the first cities to begin the celebrations. With fans gathering in large numbers and sharing videos online, the excitement ahead of Dhoni's 45th birthday has already taken over social media.

From Milk 'Abhishekam' to fireworks — Inside Dhoni fans' wildest birthday ritual

MS Dhoni's birthday is more than just a special day for his fans. Every year, thousands of supporters across India celebrate the occasion with unique rituals to show their love and respect for the former CSK captain. From pouring milk on giant cut-outs to cutting large cakes, fans celebrate Dhoni's birthday with great excitement.

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Many fan groups also organise fireworks, bike rallies, charity events, food distribution drives, and blood donation camps. These celebrations reflect Dhoni's immense popularity and the strong bond he continues to share with millions of fans, even years after retiring from international cricket.

Fans react: "Thala for a Reason" trends as videos flood social media

As videos of MS Dhoni's birthday celebrations from Vijayawada went viral, fans flooded social media with their reactions. Thousands of users shared the clips on X, Instagram, and Facebook, praising the massive celebrations organised ahead of Dhoni's 45th birthday.

Many fans posted the popular slogan, "Thala for a Reason," while others called Dhoni one of the greatest captains in cricket history. Supporters also shared photos, videos, and messages to express their love and admiration for the former India captain. Here is how fans reacted: 

The viral videos received thousands of likes, comments, and shares within hours. Fans from across the country joined the celebrations online, making #ThalaForAReason one of the most talked-about topics as Dhoni's birthday countdown continued.