'Mahi Bhai ka signature hai yaar, uske upar mai kahan se ghus jaun?' - Ishan Kishan's gesture of not signing next to MS Dhoni's autograph wins hearts

Young wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been the talk of the town ever since he hit a double century against Bangladesh in the third ODI of the three-match series, which concluded recently. After the magnificent knock, he has made the headlines again. Ishan Kishan gently refused to put his signature next to MS Dhoni's signature on a fan’s cellphone, and his gesture has won many hearts.

Kishan is currently playing for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy 2022–2023 season and is the wicketkeeper–batter. He continued his good form from the ODIs, and in just his first match with Jharkhand this season, he notched up a century against Kerala. He scored 132 runs off 195 deliveries in the first innings, but his knock went in vain as Kerala won the game.

There is Mahi bhai’s signature, how can I sign above it?: Ishan Kishan

In a video that has gone viral on the internet, a fan is seen asking Ishan Kishan for an autograph on his mobile. When Kishan saw former Indian skipper MS Dhoni’s signature on the phone, he told his fan he could not sign above Dhoni’s signature. When the fan urged Kishan for leaving his autograph next to Dhoni’s, the 24-year-old told he would sign it but only below Dhoni’s signature.

“Mahi bhai ka hai signature hai, aur uspe upar bol rahe hain mera karne. Mereko thoda ho nai raha hai. Ek kaam karo, phone pe kyu karna hai? Mai kisi aur achi cheez pe kar deta hu sign,” Kishan was heard saying in the video.

(There is Mahi bhai’s signature, and you’re asking me to sign above his. I don’t feel like doing it. Why the phone? I’ll sign on something better.)

The fan said that he wanted the signature on the phone so that both signs are together, to which Ishan replied:

“Saath me rahega but Mahi Bhai ke signature ke saath mai kya karun? Mahi Bhai ka signature hai yaar, uske upar mai kahan se ghus jaun? Hum log abhi ham utna pahuchne nahi hai wahan par. Neeche karta hoon (It will be together but how can I sign next to his signature? There is Mahi bhai’s signature, how can I sign above it? I haven’t reached that level yet. I will sign below).

Dhoni and Kishan are both natives of Jharkhand, and the latter has always been open about his fondness for the legendary wicketkeeper-batter. After Kishan’s record-breaking double ton against Bangladesh, his coach Uttam Majumdar narrated what Dhoni had advised him before his India debut. He revealed that when Dhoni saw Kishan play, even before his India debut, he told him that if a talented player like Kishan doesn’t play for India for a long time, it would be an injustice to him and no one else.