M.S. Dhoni with birthday boy Jaskaran Bhatia, son of Ranchi SSP M.S. Bhatia. Pix: Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, July 16: With a tight security cover of eight constables, including three women to keep female fans at bay, Mahi attended a 12-year-old’s birthday party today.

Team India wicketkeeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni was there to wish senior superintendent of police’s son Jashkaran Bhatia.

The party was organised a week before Jashkaran’s actual birthday, which is on July 23, as he would have to leave the city to join Lawrence School under the Sanawar district in Himachal Pradesh.

Jashkaran’s special guest gifted him a bat and participated in a photo session.

SSP M.S. Bhatia’s family friends and Jashkaran’s close friends were invited to the programme, which was organised at his official residence on Booty Road, around a kilometre from Jaipal Singh Stadium, the city’s oldest sports field.

Dhoni reached the SSP’s residence with friend and brother-in-law Gautam Kumar. He stayed at the party for around 30 minutes and cheered the children with autographs.

Children at the party were delighted to meet the star. “He appears to be same. It was a pleasant experience to meet him,” a child was heard saying. Another child was happy to get his autograph. “I hope I will also get an opportunity to represent my country abroad,” he was heard telling his mother. The photographer of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) was also present on the occasion. Instead of grim pictures, he was busy clicking Dhoni and the kids. “Finally our photographer have got an opportunity to take some pleasant pictures,” said a police constable present at the function.

Bhatia was also happy to play host to the cricket star. “Children love Dhoni. It felt good to spend a few moments with the cricket star,” he said.