Ranchi, Dec. 25: Plans of deifying Team India ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni by building a temple may have run into rough waters but his fans are not giving up just yet.

A life-size statue of Mahi, as he is popularly known, and an art gallery depicting photographs of the ace cricketer right from his childhood days would now be set up near Hatia More.

Self-styled president of Dhoni Fans’ Club Jitendra Singh, who is also the president of the state Lok Jan Shakti party youth wing, said: “We will not build the temple. Instead, we will install a life-size statue of Dhoni, who has helped place Jharkhand on the national and international map. There would also be an art gallery for tourists here.”

He announced the decision after family members of Dhoni raised objections to having a temple in his name.