Ranchi, July 4 (IANS) They burst firecrackers, distributed sweets and danced away to Bollywood tunes. Fans of cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his hometown here were taken by surprise on learning of their hero's engagement and went all out to celebrate the occasion.

"We are surprised but happy over Dhoni's engagement. No one had imagined that the star cricketer will get engaged this (quiet) way," said Ajay Rai, a Dhoni fan here.

Dozens of the ace cricketer's fans gathered near Albert Ekka roundabout here Sunday morning and celebrated his betrothal. Soon Bollywood numbers belted out and people danced in enjoyment.

Dhoni, 28, got engaged to Sakshi Singh Rawat at a private function in Dehradun in Uttarakhand Saturday. Their fathers apparently were colleagues in Mecon Ranchi, a government undertaking. Dhoni and the 21-year-old hotel management graduate lived in the same colony as well.

Sakshi's father took voluntary retirement and shifted to Dehradun and later joined a tea company in Kolkata. Both Dhoni and Sakshi's families originally belong to Uttarakhand.

While they celebrated the event, many fans hoped Dhoni's wedding would be held in Ranchi itself.

"We are happy about Dhoni's engagement. I think some celebration will be done in Ranchi also," Adil Hussain, who knew Dhoni during his initial cricketing days, told reporters.

Said Ragini, another Dhoni fan: "We hope Dhoni will get married in Ranchi. We are happy that he got engaged but disappointed that it took place outside Ranchi."