US election results: Donald Trump's photo with MS Dhoni goes viral after staggering performance in seven swing states

As Donald Trump celebrated unexpected victories across seven critical swing states making him the frontrunner for White House, a photo of him with former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni surfaced online, quickly going viral. The image, which was taken during a golf session at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, has once again caught the attention of fans worldwide.

Following Trump’s appearance at the 2023 US Open, Dhoni, known for his calm demeanour on the cricket field, joined Trump for a round of golf. Dhoni, a guest at the quarterfinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, was captured on video alongside Trump as they tried their hand at the sport.

After the guidance of Thala Dhoni, Trump's life hasn't been the same. pic.twitter.com/huDQ8JRRkW

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 6, 2024

Trump’s interest in Indian cricket stars isn't new. During his visit to India in 2020, Trump displayed a surprising familiarity with the sport, naming prominent Indian cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. His praise for these “world’s greatest cricket players” showed a keen understanding of India’s cricket icons, adding a layer of relatability for his Indian-American supporters.

pic.twitter.com/qkTT8Vu1bt

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) November 6, 2024

The phrase "Thala for a reason" is one of Indian cricket's most iconic memes, linking MS Dhoni’s iconic jersey number 7 to anything ranging form rainbows to fizzy drinks.

#Trump AGAIN !#Thala for a reason #dhoni pic.twitter.com/jzZ3h45lsF

— Ajay Surya (@ajaysurya37) November 6, 2024

This wasn't the first time Trump has rubbed shoulders with cricketing legends. In 2019, during his presidency, he met Sunil Gavaskar, another celebrated former Indian captain, at his private golf course in New York. Their conversation, according to Gavaskar, included amusing exchanges, such as Trump’s curiosity about Pakistani cricket star and then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. Gavaskar recalled Trump asking, “How good is ‘Khan’?” a question that almost prompted Gavaskar to clarify which “Khan” he meant – a playful nod to popular Bollywood actors Salman, Aamir, and Shah Rukh Khan.

Trump, currently on a campaign to reclaim the White House, showcased an unexpected camaraderie with Dhoni, with both seemingly at ease during their time on the golf course. The former president even managed to find time for this relaxed session amidst an intense campaign season.