Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared at Wankhede Stadium during India's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England, drawing attention for his luxury wristwatch. The timepiece, a Rolex Daytona Giraffe, is valued at around Rs 2.35 crore. Fans and enthusiasts speculated on its details following the match.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, former captain of the Indian cricket team, attended the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final between India and England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His presence revived the 'Thala for a reason' meme, especially after India won the match by seven runs to advance to the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
During the game on Thursday, Dhoni's wristwatch caught the eye of horological enthusiasts. Identified as the Rolex Daytona Giraffe with reference number 126555TBR, the watch features a 40mm rose gold case adorned with diamonds on the bezel, lugs, and dial markers. This rare model, built originally for racing drivers in 1963, gained fame partly through actor Paul Newman's personal piece, which sold for over $17 million at auction.
According to Chrono24, the world's largest online marketplace for watches, the Rolex Daytona Giraffe is listed for approximately $250,000, or Rs 2,35,33,618 in India, plus about Rs 10,000 for shipping. Reddit users on r/watchesindia reacted with surprise and admiration. One commented, “Rs.2.3 Crores? Why? I mean, too much, I mean great! Lovely (sic).” Another said, “The moment I saw the clip I knew someone is going to ask about his watch in this sub.” A third joked, “My poor a** thought it is a HMT kohinoor (sic).”
Dhoni is known for his affinity for luxury timepieces, having previously been spotted with the Hublot Big Bang, noted for its bold and sporty design. The semi-final marked a return to Wankhede, where Dhoni hit the winning six in the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka, ending India's 28-year title drought.