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Ranchi: Cricket fans burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wedding with childhood friend Sakshi Singh Rawat on Sunday.
The fans came out in streets and distributed sweets among themselves as soon as the news came that their idol will enter into wed-lock tonight.
One fan was relieved that Dhoni decided to marry a "girl-next-door".
"We are relieved today; he is marrying to a girl who is just like a girl next door ... three cheers for Dhoni and his life partner," said Anuj Kumar, a Dhoni fan.
Former players wished that the wedding would bring good omens in Dhoni's cricketing career.
"I am sure his marriage will spark him to do better at the 2011 World Cup as every step of Dhoni speaks of conviction and determination. I hope India wins the World Cup for the second time under Dhoni," ex-Ranji cricketer and former Bihar Cricket Association vice-president Daval Sahai said.
Sahai, whom Dhoni makes it a point to at least talk over phone whenever he is in Ranchi, said his performance would double as marriage brings "renewed vigour".
"Being a single is always dangerous, but Dhoni is relieved now from page-3-type gossip," said Om Ranjan Malviya, who once was a practice partner of the swashbuckling skipper.
An elated Adil Hussain, under whom Dhoni played for Central Coalfields Limited, said the Indian captain has always taken crucial decisions not only judiciously but also timely.
"He knows what system works for him. He keeps well behind the wickets, and he will also keep well as a husband too. Just wait and see how his marriage brings luck to his game," Hussein, a former Bihar Ranji captain, said.
"Normally marriage heralds a new dawn in every one's life. Therefore, the graph of the number one one-day batsman's performance will only go up," felt Ashok Ghosh, an ex-Ranji player.
Former left-arm spinner KVP Rao supported Dhoni's surprise engagement and then marriage in two days saying "the stumper knows his field placements, in matters pertaining to life too".
"At least now there will be somebody to look after him," he said while extending a happy married life to Dhoni and his life partner.
Dhoni's former coach Chanchal Bhattacharya said, "His childhood sweetheart must have inspired Dhoni to pick up the bat and now he has become the darling of Indian cricket; and now she will nudge him to place his hand on the World Cup."
