Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni (AFP Image)
A video went viral on social media in which the Indian players themselves revealed the stories and reasons behind their nicknames.
The stars of the Indian cricket team enjoy a massive fan following across India as they have an emotional connection with the players. Fans are often seen calling Indian players by the nickname given to them by their teammates. Through the stump mic and various camera angles, it’s easy to know the nicknames of the players on the team.
A video went viral on social media where the players themselves revealed the stories and reasons behind their nicknames.
Legendary India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni revealed that he was earlier called Mahi, but that changed when he entered the Indian team.
“My surname is Mahi, it used to be Mahi but it was half of my full name but everyone started calling me Mahi so I thought it’s better with a name. So I change it to Mahi,” Dhoni he said.
Read this also | ‘Brendon McCullum wouldn’t want attention being drawn to himself’: Daniel Vettori on England’s ‘buzzball’
While Virat Kohli went down memory lane and recalled his childhood story.
“My nickname is Cheeku. I got it because I have big ears and that day when I was fat I cut my hair very short and one of our coaches in Delhi told me that you look like Cheeku the rabbit from Champak comics, So I got that nickname and then it starts with me from there,” Kohli said.
While other Indian players Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina revealed the stories behind their nicknames.
Ravindra Jadeja said, “My surname is Jaddu because everyone calls me Jaddu because I made my debut for India because my surname is Jadeja, everyone likes to call me like Jaddu.”
Suresh Raina said, “My surname is Sonu, when I was young someone used to call me Sonu.”
Read this also | ‘Really felt humiliated like this…’: David Warner slams CA over leadership ban row
Mumbaikars Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma also revealed the people who gave them their famous nicknames.
“My surname is Ajju. Simple reason, my mother, my father all, my wife grandmother, grandfather because they like to call me Ajju, so that’s one of the reasons,” Rahane said.
Shikhar Dhawan said, “People call me Gabbar and Jai and I like both.”
Rohit said, “My nickname Shana was given to me by Yuvraj Singh, and because he thinks I am the pride of the team.”
While Ravichandran Ashwin revealed why he likes his nickname Ash.
“My surname is Ash and the name comes from shortening my full name, and I like the name because of the Bollywood connection. A Bollywood superstar shares the name with me,” he said.
Veteran India stars Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh also shared details of their surnames.
“My surname is Yuvi because it is easier for everyone to pronounce than Yuvraj,” said the southpaw.
“My surname is Sonu but I got this name for Bhajji but I don’t know where it came from. But yes. Now people call me Bhajji more than Harbhajan Singh.”
