India-Maldives row: MS Dhoni's past statement on India's beauty and his plans goes viral; watch

As tension between India and the Maldives persist over recent anti-India remarks by a few ministers of the island nation, the hashtag #BoycottMaldives gains traction on social media, receiving widespread support from Indians and celebrities, including cricketers. 

In the midst of this, an old video featuring former India cricket captain MS Dhoni has surfaced, adding a new layer to the ongoing discussions.

In the viral clip, a fan asks Dhoni about his favourite travel destinations. Dhoni, known for his straightforward demeanour, admitted to not taking many vacations during his cricket-playing days, emphasizing his focus on the sport.

Read: Virat Kohli leaves adorable comment on Mohammed Shami’s Insta post after Arjuna Award win

However, he reveals his wife's love for travel and their plans to explore India's beauty before venturing to other destinations.

"My wife loves to travel. So, now our plan is… we are getting some time off, we want to travel. But we want to start from India. We have so many beautiful places over here. I would like to explore them first before heading to different places," Dhoni stated in the video.

My man started boycotting foreign tourism even before it became the trend.
Foreign= 7
Tourism= 7
Message is clear😎😎#MaldivesKMKB #MaldivesOut #Lakshadweep #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/D8wVwRAR27

— Shikhar Neelkanth 🚩🇮🇳 (@sneelkanth9) January 7, 2024

Meanwhile, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await MS Dhoni's return to the upcoming IPL 2024. The 2011 World Cup-winning captain led CSK to their fifth IPL title win in 2023. Dhoni, recovering from knee surgery in 2023, is currently undergoing rehab with expectations of him being getting fit for IPL 2024. 

CSK made strategic moves in the recent auction, acquiring impactful players like Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell. It also welcomed back India's star bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur to the team.

Read: Mohammed Shami Makes Huge Statement on Indian tourism Amid Maldives Row