Fans to build Dhoni temple in Ranchi

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will soon be worshipped. The Dhoni Fans Club Saturday announced they would build a temple in his home town Ranchi.

The temple will have a statue of Dhoni and will be built with the money collected by his fans. Construction will begin on January 14. This is perhaps the first time that a temple will be built to worship a cricketer. In south India temples have been built to worship some film stars.

"We have decided to construct a temple to god of cricket Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi. He will be worshipped like gods are worshipped in the temple," president of Dhoni Fans Club Jitendra Singh said.

He said photographs of Dhoni will also be displayed on the walls of the proposed temple, which will come up in Hawai Nagar of Ranchi.

"Dhoni is god for us. With his entry in Indian cricket, Jharkhand was put on the international map. People here are recognised due to him. We get respect in other states. Dhoni has changed the face of Indian cricket," said Rajesh Kumar, a fan.