Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has handed over personalised Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jerseys to The Elephant Whisperers director Kartiki Gonsalves and elephant caregivers Bomman and Bellie, who feature in the Oscar-winning Netflix documentary.

"Roars of appreciation to the team that won our hearts! 👏 So good to host Bomman, Bellie and filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves! 🐘 #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛," the official Twitter account of CSK wrote on Wednesday, sharing pictures of Dhoni handing over No. 7 CSK jerseys to the trio at a felicitation ceremony.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) team organised the felicitation programme for the trio at the M A Chidambaran stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

"We are very happy to celebrate our elephant caregivers Bomman and Bellie along with Kartiki, whose engrossing storytelling spread the heart-warming tale far and wide. It is a matter of great pride for all of us that our own people have reached the global stage,” Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited CEO KS Viswanathan said in a statement.

"Conserving Asian Elephants is the need of the hour and we are also happy to extend our support to the two elephants Ammu and Raghu by contributing towards their living expenses," Viswanathan added.

CSK will be organising another felicitation ceremony for the trio in Chennai ahead of their match against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. CSK owner Rupa Gurunath will hand over mementoes along with Viswanathan to the trio at the event. The IPL team will also present a cheque to the Mudumalai Tiger Conservation Foundation towards the welfare of elephants.

The Elephant Whisperers won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short at the 95th Academy Awards on March 13. It follows the story of elephant caregivers Bomman and Bellie, who were tasked with taking care of an orphaned baby elephant, Raghu.