Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: 43 Interesting Facts About the Legendary India Skipper, and His Top Knocks

One of the most successful skippers ever to lead the Indian cricket team, MS Dhoni celebrates his 43rd birthday today. Dhoni led India to their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2007. Four years later, India, under his leadership, won their second ODI World Cup title.

In 2013, the Indian team, led by Dhoni, got the better of England to win the Champions Trophy. Dhoni’s brilliance has not been limited to international cricket. With five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles to his name, Dhoni is one of the most successful skippers in the history of the competition. His latest success came in the IPL 2023 season when he led the Chennai Super Kings to their fifth IPL title.

Following India’s recent T20 World Cup glory, MS Dhoni penned an emotional post for the Rohit Sharma-led side. Dhoni thanked the victorious Indian players for presenting him with such a “priceless birthday gift.”

“World Cup champions 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self belief and doing what u guys did. From all the Indians back home and everywhere in the world a big thank you for bringing the World Cup home. CONGRATULATIONS. arreeee thanks for the priceless birthday gift,” read the post shared by MS Dhoni on Instagram.

As MS Dhoni celebrates his 43rd birthday today, July 7, we take a look at some of his interesting facts and top knocks.

MS Dhoni’s Top Awards And 43 Facts About Him

MS Dhoni made his international debut in an ODI match against Bangladesh in 2004.

Before becoming a professional cricketer, Dhoni used to work as a ticket collector at the Kharagpur railway station.

During the initial phase of his cricket career, Dhoni used to have long hair.

In Tests, he first played against Sri Lanka in December 2005.

Dhoni’s first T20I appearance came a year later against South Africa.

Dhoni notched his maiden Test half-century in December 2005 against Sri Lanka.

He led the Indian Test team for the first time in April 2008.

In November that year, Dhoni handled the leadership duties of the Test team for the first time.

India became the number one Test team for the first time under Dhoni’s captaincy in December 2009.

Dhoni scored his maiden Test double hundred against Australia in February 2013.

In ODIs, he has led India to the most number of matches (200).

Dhoni has also captained India to the most number of T20Is (72).

Dhoni stepped down from Test captain’s position midway through India’s tour of Australia in December 2014.

He also retired from Test cricket back then.

Dhoni relinquished captaincy duties in the limited-overs cricket in January 2017.

In IPL, Dhoni first featured in April 2008 against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).

‘Thala’ holds the record for most IPL appearances (264).

Dhoni also became the first player to take part in 250 IPL games.

He has so far led a franchise to the most number of IPL matches (226).

With five IPL titles under his belt, Dhoni is the most successful skipper in the the competition along with Rohit Sharma.

He has also led Chennai Super Kings to two Champions League T20 trophies in 2010 and 2014.

Dhoni captained India to their first-ever T20 World Cup title in 2007.

India, under Dhoni’s captaincy, won their second ODI World Cup title in 2011.

Dhoni led India to Champions Trophy glory in 2013.

He became the first captain to clinch all three ICC tournaments.

He holds the record for the third-highest dismissals (829) in international cricket.

Overall, Dhoni has the most number of stumpings (195) across all three formats of the game.

He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award) in 2007.

In 2009. Dhoni was honoured with the Padma Shri.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2018.

Dhoni married Sakshi Singh in July 2010.

Dhoni and Sakshi welcomed a baby girl, Ziva, on February 6, 2015.

Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.

He is also a qualified paratrooper.

In 2019, Dhoni underwent a two-week training programme with the Parachute Regiment.

Dhoni is passionate about bikes and he is known for his jaw-dropping collection.

The legendary India skipper recently purchased the Jawa 42 Bobber.

In 2023, Dhoni expanded his garage with the addition of a Mercedes-AMG 632 SUV.

Dhoni loves listening to Kishore Kumar’s songs and old classical music.

Apart from cricket, Dhoni also closely follows WWE and football.

Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020.

In international cricket, Dhoni was last seen in action in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

The BCCI has retired Dhoni’s jersey number 7.

MS Dhoni’s Top-5 Knocks For India And Chennai Super Kings:

1. 183 not out vs Sri Lanka, 2005MS Dhoni produced a blistering knock of 183 not out off 145 balls against Sri Lanka in 2005. This is his highest score in ODIS. Chasing a target of 299, Dhoni hit 15 boundaries and 10 sixes. India had won the match with 23 balls to spare.
2. 224 vs Australia, 2013MS Dhoni registered his solitary Test double hundred and his highest score in this format against Australia in 2013. Dhoni played a fine knock of 224 in the first innings of that Test against the Aussies. India won that game by eight wickets.
3. 148 vs Pakistan, 2005Playing against arch-rivals Pakistan, Dhoni came up with another memorable knock in April 2005 in Visakhapatnam. Coming down to bat early in the innings in the second ODI, Dhoni had scored 148 runs off 123 balls. His ferocious innings comprised 15 boundaries and four sixes.
4. 148 vs Pakistan, 2006He had pulled off another remarkable knock against Pakistan during the Faisalabad Test in January 2006. Dhoni had scored 148 runs to guide India to a solid total of 603 in the first innings of that Test.
5. 56 vs England, 2017In T20Is, MS Dhoni notched his highest score against England in 2017. In that game, he had scored a quickfire 56 off 36 balls to guide India to a solid total of 202. India had won that match by 75 runs.

MS Dhoni’s Top-5 IPL Knocks

1. 84 not out vs RCB, 2019MS Dhoni achieved his highest IPL score (84 not out) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019. Dhoni had scored 84 off 48 balls. Despite Dhoni’s brilliance with the bat, Chennai Super Kings faced a one-run defeat in that game.
2. 70 not out vs RCB, 2018The skipper exhibited his big-hitting prowess while chasing a mammoth target of 206 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2018. He scored 70 (not out) off 34 balls to guide his side to an emphatic five-wicket win.
3. 79 not out vs PBKS, 2018In IPL 2018, MS Dhoni had produced another spectacular knock of unbeaten 79 off 44 balls against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Dhoni’s sublime knock comprised six boundaries and five maximums.
4. 67 not out vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2013MS Dhoni once again displayed his sensational batting during a run chase. This time it was Sunrisers Hyderabad who had to face Thala’s destructive show. Dhoni remained 67 not out off 37 balls to guide Chennai Super Kings to a thrilling five-wicket win.
5. 70 not out vs RCB, 2011MS Dhoni once again showed his class during an IPL 2011 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Batting first, the Chennai-based side posted 128 runs, thanks to Dhoni’s terrific knock of unbeaten 70 off 40 deliveries. Dhoni’s memorable knock, however, went in vain as Chennai Super Kings faced an eight-wicket defeat.