Following their reunion at his Ranchi home with Rishabh Pant and Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni drops Virat Kohli off in his personal vehicle.

Before the ODI series against South Africa, Indian cricketers Virat Kohli, Pant, and Gaikwad paid MS Dhoni a touching reunion in Ranchi.

A touching reunion in Ranchi took center stage as India gets ready for the three-match One-Day International series against South Africa, which starts on Sunday at the JSCA International Cricket Stadium. Among the Indian players who paid MS Dhoni a visit at his home on Thursday were Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. This visit created a stir on social media and added a poignant element to the team's series preparation.

The greatest applause was heard when Kohli arrived to Dhoni's house, and with good reason. From Kohli flourishing under Dhoni's nurturing leadership to Dhoni trusting him in pivotal situations across formats, the two have formed one of Indian cricket's most memorable partnerships. In Ranchi, where photos of the former captain welcoming Kohli inside and meeting him went viral, their friendship was once again on full show.

But what really thrilled the crowd was when Dhoni drove Kohli in his own vehicle following the gathering. Within minutes, the video of Dhoni driving and Kohli sitting next to him, waving to jubilant fans filling the streets, went viral on social media, bringing back memories of a time when their combined on-field prowess was paramount.

In keeping with the custom of players stopping by whenever the national team plays in Dhoni's hometown, Pant and Gaikwad also paid the former India captain a visit. Gaikwad, a crucial component of Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings lineup, showed an easy familiarity with his IPL skipper, while Pant, who has long considered Dhoni a mentor figure, was spotted arriving with teammates.

The meeting took place at a crucial juncture for the Indian side. After a dismal Test series, the team is hoping to rapidly start over with KL Rahul leading the ODI squad in the absence of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. The key to that endeavor is Kohli, who is anticipated to lead India's batting steadiness when he returns to the ODI system.

For the reunion, the Indian players briefly halted their training regimen after arriving in Ranchi earlier this week. Crowds lined up outside Dhoni's house throughout the day, applauding each celebrity as they arrived. Ahead of an important white-ball assignment, images and films that captured moments that combined love, nostalgia, and anticipation kept making the rounds.

The visit struck a deep chord with both players and fans, as the first ODI was scheduled to take place on Dhoni's home ground. Dhoni's emotional boost and the picture of him driving Kohli through Ranchi's lanes have set the stage for an enthusiastic, cohesive start to the match against South Africa, as India hopes to open the series on a high note.