Former Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni and current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad teamed up off the cricket field for something unusual in Chennai.
The pair took part in the launch of a new padel sports brand named 7Padel. Fans saw the CSK stars holding their racquets instead of bats, playing their first match at the event and drawing a big crowd of curious onlookers.
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Where is the new 7Padel centre in Chennai?
The brand’s first-ever centre has been set up in Palavakkam on East Coast Road, next to Alphabet School on MGR Salai.
Spread over 20,000 square feet, the venue is designed as more than just a padel hub, it also houses three padel courts, a pickleball court, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, a recovery room, a café, and even a sauna.
The location choice is no surprise, with Dhoni calling Chennai a city “close to his heart” and the perfect place to begin his padel journey.
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Padel, a racquet sport that mixes tennis and squash, has been growing rapidly across the globe. Dhoni’s 7Padel aims to make it more accessible in India by blending sport, fitness, and community spaces.
What happened at the 7Padel launch in Chennai?
The event saw Dhoni and Gaikwad step into the glass-walled padel court to officially kick off the brand. They played an exhibition match to showcase the sport, which is a mix of tennis and squash.
The two cricketers, dressed in sporty attire, hit a few rallies while fans cheered loudly. It was the first time many had seen Dhoni try his hand at this game.
Thala 🤝 Ani 🤝 Rutu
— 7Padel_India (@7Padel_India) August 8, 2025
That was our opening night at 7Padel! 🥳#7Padel#7PadelIndia@anirudhofficial @Ruutu1331 @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/raVwepnwxQ
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When will the next 7Padel game take place?
After the opening match in Chennai, the organisers confirmed that more exhibition games will be held soon to promote padel in India.
While the exact date for the next game hasn’t been announced yet, the plan is to bring in more sports personalities to create buzz around the sport.