[Watch] IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya embraces MS Dhoni with warm hug ahead of CSK-MI clash

Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni were seen sharing a warm embrace during a practice session involving Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings a day ahead of their clash at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium in IPL 2025.

In a short clip posted by the official X account of MI, the two could be seen sharing a lighthearted moment as the two teams were warming up in the evening on Saturday, March 22.  

The endearing video has been gaining attention ever since it was posted. The comments section has been flooded with Indian cricket supporters as well as fans of the respective franchises expressing their emotions after consuming the clip.

Mumbai Indians@mipaltan

HP 🫂 MSD #MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #CSKvMI [Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni]

06:59 PM · Mar 22, 2025

6K901

It is no secret that Hardik and Dhoni have shared a close bond outside the cricketing domain since quite some time now. IPL 2025 will be the second season Hardik will be leading MI. On the other hand, Dhoni handed Gaikwad the captaincy in IPL 2024 itself.

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While the star all-rounder was retained ahead of the mega auction, Dhoni was interestingly retained as an uncapped player by CSK after the BCCI brought back the old rule which deems players who have not played international cricket for five years or more as "uncapped".

CSK and MI are the joint-most successful franchises in the history of the IPL, winning five titles each. While Mumbai Indians had a wooden spoon finish in 2024, the Super Kings narrowly missed out on the playoffs after a loss to RCB in their last group-stage game, finishing fifth in the tally. The two teams will be aiming to start off on a positive note in 2025.