Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as MS Dhoni, is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian cricket team. He was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Dhoni is known for his calm demeanor, sharp cricketing mind, and outstanding captaincy skills. He is regarded as one of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket.
Early Life and Career:
Dhoni had a keen interest in cricket since his childhood. He played cricket for his school and later for a local cricket club. He was initially a goalkeeper in football, but later he decided to focus on cricket. Dhoni started his cricketing career as a lower-order batsman and wicketkeeper. He played for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in the 1999-2000 season. He then moved to Jharkhand, his native state, and made his debut for them in the 2003-04 season.
Dhoni’s breakthrough came in the 2004-05 season, where he scored a century against Pakistan A, which caught the attention of the national selectors. He was then selected for the Indian cricket team in 2004, making his debut against Bangladesh in December of that year. He initially played as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the Indian team.
International Career:
Dhoni made his mark in international cricket during the 2005 ICC Trophy in Sri Lanka, where he played a crucial role in India’s victory. He became the regular wicketkeeper-batsman for the Indian team, and his aggressive batting style and ability to finish matches made him a vital cog in the Indian middle-order. Dhoni’s first major success as captain came in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, where he led India to victory.
Captaincy Career:
Dhoni was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team in 2007, following Rahul Dravid’s resignation. He led the team to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, which was India’s first major ICC trophy since 1983. Dhoni’s captaincy skills were further highlighted in 2011, when he led India to victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, which was also India’s first World Cup win in 28 years.
Under Dhoni’s leadership, India also won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and reached the number one ranking in Test cricket. Dhoni is regarded as one of the best captains in the history of Indian cricket, and his leadership skills, calmness under pressure, and ability to back young players were some of his key strengths.
Retirement:
Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2014, but continued to play in limited-overs cricket. He announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020, ending his illustrious 16-year career. Dhoni played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is for India, scoring over 17,000 international runs and effecting over 800 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
Off the field, Dhoni has been associated with various brands and has been a popular face in advertising. He also co-owns the Indian Super League team Chennaiyin FC and has been associated with various philanthropic activities.
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