India beats England – The phrase ‘Thala for a reason’ is often used humorously by fans to give credit to Dhoni for almost any notable event that happens in cricket, especially when it comes to the number seven. There was a flood of memes on social media after India’s dramatic win over England in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Among those present in the stands was former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had come to watch the match and support the Indian team. Immediately after the result, the internet was abuzz with jokes linking the seven-run victory margin to Dhoni’s iconic jersey number.

Many memes revolve around the popular phrase, “Thala for a reason”, a line deeply rooted in the fan culture of Chennai Super Kings. This phrase is often used humorously by fans to give credit to Dhoni for almost any notable event occurring in cricket, especially when the number seven appears, alluding to the jersey number he wore throughout his career.