• sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 02/12/2024
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Last week, MS Dhoni caused a stir online when he was spotted training for IPL 2024 with a new sticker on his bat, bearing the label ‘Prime Sports’. This simple act turned out to be Dhoni’s way of honouring his childhood friend Paramjit Singh, the owner of Prime Sports, a company that has become a prominent name in the sports apparel market over the past two decades.

Dhoni’s Gesture to Prime Sports

The roots of Prime Sports trace back to its humble beginnings as a store in Ranchi, which is coincidentally Dhoni’s hometown. When Dhoni showcased the ‘Prime Sports’ sticker on his bat, it was a touching tribute to his enduring friendship with Paramjit Singh. Reflecting on this gesture, Paramjit expressed his pride and joy, emphasising the depth of their friendship.

“I am feeling very proud of him. He has always been there for us. And this is our friendship. Friendship No. 1,” Paramjit shared with Aaj Tak. Additionally, Paramjit unveiled a special bat gifted to him by Dhoni himself, adorned with the heartfelt message: “Best wishes, Chhotu Bhaiya.”

As MS Dhoni nears the twilight of his illustrious cricketing career, he continues to uphold his tradition of acknowledging the support of individuals and institutions that have been integral to his journey. Notably, during his final appearance for India in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni sported stickers representing SS and BAS, two prominent bat sponsors from earlier stages of his cricketing career. Therefore, Dhoni’s choice to showcase ‘Prime Sports’ on his bat ahead of what could potentially be his last IPL season aligns with his long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Recognition from Adam Gilchrist

Dhoni’s decision to feature the ‘Prime Sports’ sticker on his bat garnered widespread attention, even reaching Australia’s cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist. During commentary for the 2nd T20I between Australia and West Indies, Gilchrist remarked on Dhoni’s bat sticker, noting its significance as a gesture to boost sales for a local sports store owned by one of his schoolmates.

“I saw him hitting some balls in the nets, MS Dhoni. There’s a new bat sticker on his bat. Just a local sports store of one of his schoolmates. Whack the company name on your bat just to give a boost to sales,” Gilchrist commented, highlighting the impact of Dhoni’s gesture beyond Indian borders.