Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as MS Dhoni, is one of the most iconic. cricketers to have ever played for India. He is widely considered one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game and has been an instrumental figure in India's success in limited-overs cricket.
Dhoni has won several accolades throughout his career, including the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor.
Dhoni’s Life
Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Despite facing financial difficulties, Dhoni was determined to pursue his passion for cricket. He made his debut for Bihar in the 1999-2000 season and later played for Jharkhand after the state was created in 2000.
Entered into Team
Dhoni's big break came in 2004 when he was selected to play for India A against Pakistan. He impressed everyone with his hard-hitting batting and was soon drafted into the Indian team for the ODI series against Bangladesh.
Dhoni made an instant impact in his debut match, scoring an unbeaten 123 off 123 balls and leading India to victory.
However, it was Dhoni's performance in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 that established him as a force to be reckoned with in limited-overs cricket. Dhoni, who was appointed as India's captain for the tournament, led from the front and played a crucial role in India's triumph.
He scored 273 runs in the tournament, including a match-winning knock of 56 off 38 balls in the final against arch-rivals Pakistan.
His Captainship
Source: Wion
Dhoni's leadership skills and his ability to keep his calm in pressure situations soon earned him the nickname of 'Captain Cool'.As the captain of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the team to several notable victories in major international tournaments.
The team won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, which was the first edition of the tournament. They also won the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, which are biennial tournaments featuring teams from Asia. In 2011, India won the ICC Cricket World Cup, the premier international tournament in the sport.
Under Dhoni's leadership, the team also won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament featuring the top eight teams in the world. These victories cemented Dhoni's reputation as one of the greatest captains in the history of Indian cricket.
Dhoni is the only captain in the history of cricket to have won all three major ICC trophies - the World Cup, World Twenty20, and Champions Trophy.
Apart from his leadership skills, Dhoni's batting and wicketkeeping have also been instrumental in India's success. He is one of the best wicketkeepers in the world and has taken several stunning catches and effected numerous stumpings throughout his career.
He is also a prolific run-scorer and has scored over 10,000 runs in ODIs, including 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries. Dhoni's ability to finish matches with his explosive hitting and calm demeanor has been a hallmark of his batting.
IPL History
He has been associated with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise since the tournament's inaugural season in 2008. Dhoni has played a total of 204 IPL matches as of 2021, scoring 4,873 runs at an average of 40.25 with a highest score of 84 not out. He has also taken 183 catches and made 38 stumpings as a wicketkeeper.
Dhoni has led the CSK franchise in all but one season (2016 and 2017 when the team was suspended from the IPL due to a spot-fixing scandal). He has led CSK to three IPL titles in 2010, 2011, and 2018, making them the most successful franchise in the tournament's history alongside Mumbai Indians.
Dhoni has been one of the most successful batsmen in the IPL, with 23 half-centuries to his name. He has also hit 216 sixes, which is the fifth-highest in IPL history. Dhoni has won the IPL's "Most Valuable Player" award twice - in 2011 and 2018. He has also won the "Champion of the Tournament" award twice - in 2010 and 2011.
Dhoni holds the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in IPL history. He has taken a total of 162 catches and made 38 stumpings, which is the highest in the tournament's history. Overall, Dhoni has been one of the most influential and successful players in IPL history, and his contributions to the tournament and the CSK franchise have been immense.
His Retirement
Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020, bringing an end to an illustrious career that spanned over 16 years. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers and captains to have ever played for India. Dhoni's contributions to Indian cricket have been immense, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come.
Written By - Manish Kumar
Edited By - Riya Dabas
Social