Fans to build Dhoni temple in home town

Ranchi, India: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will soon be idolised. The Dhoni Fans Club yesterday announced they would build a temple in his home town of Ranchi.

The temple will have a statue of Dhoni and will be built with the money collected by his fans. Construction will begin on January 14.

This is perhaps the first time that a temple will be built to idolise a cricketer. In south India temples have been built to idolise some film stars.

"We have decided to construct a temple to Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi," president of Dhoni Fans Club Jitendra Singh told reporters here.

He said photographs of Dhoni will also be displayed on the walls of the proposed temple, which will come up in Hawai Nagar of Ranchi.

"With his entry in Indian cricket, Jharkhand was put on the international map. People here are recognised due to him.

"We get respect in other states. Dhoni has changed the face of Indian cricket," said Rajesh Kumar, a huge fan.