Less than 20 hours after leading India to a crushing 87-run victory over hosts Bangladesh in the World Cup opener, the charismatic skipper walked to an ovation at the Birsa Munda Athletics stadium.

With talks flying thick and fast since the morning about Dhoni’s visit to witness the ongoing National Games, every venue was packed with hordes of weekend crowd, journalists and cameramen. And when he did walk into the athletics stadium at around 6.00 pm, organisers were left wondering as to how to control the excitement.

Clad in a pair of blue jeans, a grey t-shirt and a brown corduroy blazer, Ranchi’s favourite son brought the roof down with over 30,000 spectators – who until then had their eyes transfixed on the action on the field -- going completely ecstatic upon seeing their hero.

Their mobile cameras came out in a flash, trying to get a portrait of India’s most advertised face with even Deputy Inspector General of Police Sampat Meena joining the melee and getting herself clicked with the 27-year-old.

Press photographers and videographers too forgot about the action on the field, scrambling upon each other in pursuit of vantage point to shoot Dhoni!

Another deafening cheer followed when he distributed medals to the 400M hurdles winners.