Deepika Padukone to bowl out MS Dhoni

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day
Monday, October 22, 2007

Deepika Padukone is so keen to watch Mahendra Singh Dhoni play at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai tomorrow that she has cancelled all commitments she had for the day.

According to a source, “Bhushan Kumar, the T-Series head honcho, was keen that the Om Shanti Om leading lady attend his sister Tushali"s party in Delhi tomorrow but Deepika begged off saying that she wants to see Dhoni in action on the ground."

It is learnt that Deepika will be present at the stadium with lots of friends including ex-beau Nihar Pandya. She has called everyone to join her in cheering Dhoni."

Another source, close to the OSO girl tells us that Dhoni extended the invitation to Deepika for the match." Dhoni has been expressing his admiration for Deepika to everyone and saying he"s very keen on watching Om Shanti Om.

At the last T20 match in South Africa, he told Shah Rukh that he wants to watch the film but few people know that his interest in the film has more to do with Deepika than anything else."

Sporting spirit

Deepika appears to be as enamoured of Dhoni as he is by her. The mutual admiration society has been happening for some time.

When asked about attending the match, Deepika says, “I am not sure if I am going but if I am free that day then I will go. If I do go it will be for the entire team. Also I love sports since that"s my background."

When asked if she"d attended any cricket matches recently, Farah Khan"s heroine adds, “The last match that I had gone for was many years ago in Bangalore.
I can"t remember if it was an India-Australia or India-Pak one." When quizzed about Dhoni extending a special invite to her for the match tomorrow and whether she"s also his fan she preferred not to comment.