- Dhoni turns 42 on Friday
- Dhoni led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup
- Dhoni also formed a special bond with Chennai through CSKJuly 7th, 2023 marks the 42nd birthday of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who continues to amaze fans with his timeless charm and unconditional love for the game. But the Chennai Super Kings skipper still has a lot to offer on the cricket field, as was seen during the IPL 2023 season.
Known for his astute leadership, remarkable finishing skills, and calm demeanor under pressure, Dhoni’s impact on Indian cricket and the sport as a whole cannot be overstated. The wicketkeeper from Jharkhand, who entered the field as a long-haired, dashing batter, soon became one of the most iconic figures in the game just for the amount of success he attained on the field.
- Dhoni made his debut for India in 2004 and impressed everyone with his fearless approach with the bat in hand. While he remained one of the entertainers on the field, it was captaincy that brought out the best in the wicketkeeper and showed the fans a different side of him, which would become synonymous with him for the rest of his playing career.
- The first assignment for Dhoni as skipper for the team came at the 2007 T20 World Cup, where India weren’t the favourites by any stretch of imagination. But a young side led by the mercurial captain would shock everyone and become the inaugural T20 World Champions.
Throughout the tournament, the cool and calm side of Dhoni shined through with some of the big moments, like giving Joginder Sharma the final over in the final against Pakistan. This would be a sign of things to come as the wicketkeeper was given the full-time captaincy and he would go on to change Indian cricket forever.
The success would then be carried on to the 2011 World Cup, where India broke the host nation jinx and won the title. And in the final, who was the finisher? Well, it was Dhoni, who hit a massive six off Nuwan Kulasekera to send the fans into ecstasy.
This was just one of the games that Dhoni the finisher would win for India as he became the master of the chase for his side.
- The IPL and the CSK connection
This was probably a special connection that Dhoni formed in his playing career and which still continues to this date. Chennai accepted Dhoni as one of their own as he delivered them countless moments of happiness and success over the years.
From winning the IPL for the first time in 2010, to their latest triumph this year, there has been one constant and that was Dhoni. The CSK skipper’s powers with the bat may not be the same as they were a few years ago, but his captaincy was still on point.
Dhoni’s shrewd captaincy would revitalize the careers of the likes of Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane, among others, as the Chennai franchise lifted their fifth title. The question in the minds of the fans was, is this the last time we would see the charismatic leader on the field.
- But Dhoni has made a promise to the fans to be back for one more season in the IPL.
“Looking for an answer? This is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over. The easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for 9 months and try to play another IPL. It would be a gift from me, won’t be easy on the body,” said Dhoni after winning the IPL.
With that hope, fans will be showering their love for the legendary skipper who with his cool persona transformed Indian cricket into a juggernaut.
MS Dhoni turns 42: Evergreen former India captain still has a lot left in the tank
