Watch: Ruturaj Gaikwad's wife-to-be Utkarsha Pawar touches MS Dhoni's feet after CSK's IPL 2023 title win

In a viral video, Ruturaj Gaikwad's wife-to-be Utkarsha Pawar is seen seeking MS Dhoni's Blessings.

MS Dhoni undeniably remains an inspirational figure for contemporary cricketers, who consistently exhibit their profound admiration for the iconic captain in various circumstances. In a recently circulated video, Utkarsha Pawar, the fiancée of Ruturaj Gaikwad, was observed humbly touching Dhoni's feet, seeking his blessings. This touching incident was captured on camera at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 30, as the Chennai Super Kings etched their name on the IPL trophy for an unprecedented fifth time, triumphing over the Gujarat Titans in a thrilling final.

Cricketing Couple Utkarsha and Ruturaj Start a New Chapter in Their Lives

Today marks the joyous union of Utkarsha and Ruturaj in holy matrimony. Utkarsha, a proficient cricketer herself, proudly represents Maharashtra in the domestic cricket circuit.

Utkarsha Pawar's Unexpected Gesture: Touching Dhoni's Feet

The evening of the IPL final unfolded as a magical tale for every individual associated with the Chennai Super Kings family. The Chennai dugout witnessed exuberant scenes as Ravindra Jadeja, with his extraordinary heroics, clinched the title, propelling the team to match the illustrious record of the Mumbai Indians as the most successful franchise in the tournament's history.

In the midst of the jubilant atmosphere, the CSK squad members reveled in every aspect of their triumphant moment. Amidst the celebration, Utkarsha Pawar, accompanied by her soon-to-be-husband Ruturaj, approached Dhoni. The Chennai skipper engaged in conversation with the couple, and in a heartfelt gesture, Utkarsha unexpectedly bent down to touch Dhoni's feet. Dhoni swiftly attempted to prevent her, expressing his humility, and proceeded to embrace her warmly.

Watch the video here

Balancing Cricket and Academics: Utkarsha's Pursuit of Higher Education

Utkarsha Pawar, a talented 24-year-old cricketer, contributes to the Maharashtra side as a right-arm fast bowler. Her last appearance in a domestic game was in November 2021, showcasing her commitment to the sport. With 10 first-class matches under her belt, Utkarsha has showcased her bowling prowess, claiming 4 wickets, while also demonstrating her batting skills by scoring 41 runs. Alongside her cricketing pursuits, she is currently pursuing higher education at the Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences (INFS) in Pune, further highlighting her dedication to both her athletic and academic pursuits.

Ruturaj's Reason for Withdrawing from the Indian Squad

Ruturaj Gaikwad had made preparations to join the Indian team for the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final, scheduled to commence on June 7 at the Oval in London. However, due to his ongoing marriage arrangements, the promising opening batsman had to withdraw himself from the squad. In his place, the talented youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal was summoned as a replacement, highlighting the depth of emerging talent within the Indian cricket ranks.

Ruturaj Gaikwad formed a formidable opening partnership with Devon Conway, becoming the backbone of Chennai's success in numerous matches. Throughout the season, Ruturaj showcased his prowess in 16 appearances, accumulating a remarkable total of 590 runs at an average exceeding 40, with an impressive strike rate of 147.50. His outstanding performance earned him a commendable seventh position in the Orange Cap list, a testament to his consistency and impact as a top-order batsman.