Mahendra Singh Dhoni, widely known as MS Dhoni, is a former Indian international cricketer and one of the most celebrated captains in the history of cricket. Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand (then part of Bihar), India, Dhoni is renowned for his astute cricketing mind, calm demeanor, and exemplary wicket-keeping and batting skills. Under his leadership, India achieved numerous milestones, including winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
Biography
Dhoni’s journey from his small-town roots to international cricket stardom is a tale of determination, hard work, and exceptional talent. He initially excelled in football and badminton during his school days before turning his attention to cricket. Dhoni worked as a ticket collector for the Indian Railways before breaking into the national cricket scene, a testament to his humble beginnings and the challenges he overcame.
Sporting Achievements
- Leading India to Victory: Dhoni’s captaincy is marked by India’s triumph in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the only captain in history to win all three major ICC trophies.
- Remarkable International Career: Dhoni has amassed over 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), with an average above 50, which is a remarkable feat for a middle-order batsman. He also has numerous half-centuries and centuries to his name in both ODIs and Test cricket.
- Records and Honors: Among his numerous records, Dhoni is known for the highest number of stumpings in international cricket. He has also received several prestigious awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2007, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2018.
- Indian Premier League (IPL): Dhoni has been an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise, leading the team to three IPL titles (in 2010, 2011, and 2018) and two Champions League Twenty20 titles (in 2010 and 2014). His leadership, batting prowess, and cool temperament have been central to CSK’s success in the league.
- Retirement: Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, through an Instagram post, marking the end of an illustrious 16-year international career. He continues to play in the IPL and contribute to the game in various capacities.
MS Dhoni’s legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He is celebrated for his leadership qualities, his ability to remain calm under pressure, and his contributions to Indian cricket’s global stature. Dhoni’s journey from a small-town boy to a cricketing legend is an inspiring story of perseverance, making him one of the most respected and admired figures in the sport’s history.
Player Stats
Batting & Fielding
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 90 | 144 | 16 | 4876 | 224 | 38.09 | 8249 | 59.11 | 6 | 33 | 544 | 78 | 256 | 38 |
| ODIs | 350 | 297 | 84 | 10773 | 183* | 50.57 | 12303 | 87.56 | 10 | 73 | 826 | 229 | 321 | 123 |
| T20Is | 98 | 85 | 42 | 1617 | 56 | 37.60 | 1282 | 126.13 | 0 | 2 | 116 | 52 | 57 | 34 |
| FC | 131 | 210 | 19 | 7038 | 224 | 36.84 | – | – | 9 | 47 | – | – | 364 | 57 |
| List A | 423 | 364 | 99 | 13353 | 183* | 50.38 | – | – | 17 | 87 | – | – | 402 | 141 |
| T20s | 377 | 331 | 139 | 7271 | 84* | 37.86 | 5406 | 134.49 | 0 | 28 | 503 | 325 | 214 | 87 |
Bowling
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 90 | 7 | 96 | 67 | 0 | – | – | – | 4.18 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 350 | 2 | 36 | 31 | 1 | 1/14 | 1/14 | 31.00 | 5.16 | 36.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 98 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| FC | 131 | – | 126 | 87 | 0 | – | – | – | 4.14 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 423 | – | 63 | 53 | 2 | 1/14 | 1/14 | 26.50 | 05.04 | 31.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 377 | 1 | 12 | 25 | 0 | – | – | – | 12.50 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |