Overview

• Dhoni landed in Madurai to inaugurate the new Velammal International Cricket Stadium, drawing large crowds at the airport and inside the ground.
• He received a grand on-field welcome that featured a red carpet, fireworks, a buggy tour of the facility, and a brief batting session on the main pitch.
• The stadium was developed by the Velammal Education Trust in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association at an estimated cost of ₹325 crore.
• Current seating is 7,300 with plans reported to expand capacity to 20,000 as the venue develops.
• Social media posts, including an official note from Chennai Super Kings and widely shared videos, amplified the event, while a separate viral image of Dhoni in a Mumbai Indians jersey has renewed IPL 2026 speculation without any official confirmation.