MS Dhoni spotted wearing radio earwig at Edgbaston during India's ODI win against England

Former India captain MS Dhoni captured the roaring approval of the Edgbaston crowd on Tuesday, July 14 as he watched the opening ODI between India and England unfold from the stands in Birmingham. Yet the focus soon shifted from his mere presence to an intriguing accessory around his ear. Fans immediately took notice of the small earpiece Dhoni was wearing throughout the match, sparking widespread curiosity across social media about what the device actually was.

Dhoni attended the match with his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva, soaking in the action from the stands. He caught up with former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik during the match, and their interaction quickly went viral among fans who celebrated the reunion of the two former teammates. The visit came just days after Dhoni celebrated his 45th birthday at Trent Bridge, where he watched India's third T20I against England.

The device Dhoni wore is known as a radio earwig, a handheld broadcast receiver designed for spectators at live sporting events. This small, pocket-sized in-ear radio receiver allows fans to hear real-time commentary while watching the action unfold in front of them. Rather than relying on stadium speakers or mobile networks, the earwig tunes into a dedicated local radio frequency broadcast exclusively within the ground. This means spectators get instantaneous audio feeds without the lag sometimes seen on television or streaming apps.

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These devices are especially popular in cricket, Formula 1, and horse racing, where specialist analysis and ball-by-ball updates add depth to the viewing experience. The battery life is typically around 20 hours of continuous use, and the earwig's range is limited to the stadium itself, meaning users lose the signal once they step outside the venue. Dhoni's choice to use one reflected his enduring keenness to absorb the match from every possible angle, a hallmark of his captaincy days.

India delivered a commanding victory, securing a six-wicket win with 28 balls remaining. Axar Patel was named Player of the Match for his all-round display, taking 4 wickets in the first innings and scoring an unbeaten 57 in the chase. Shubman Gill anchored the chase with an 80-run contribution, though he confirmed in an interview with Test Match Special that he was suffering from cramp after retiring on 80 and expects to be fit for the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday. The victory handed India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.