Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Cricketer
Cricketer

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Born 7 July 1981 · Jharkhand

Led India to victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup as captain.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an Indian professional cricketer who plays as a right-handed batter and a wicket-keeper. Widely regarded as one of the most prolific wicket-keeper batsmen and captains, he represented the Indian cricket team and was the captain of the team in limited overs formats from 2007 to 2017 and in Test cricket from 2008 to 2014. Dhoni has captained the most international matches and is the most successful Indian captain. He has led India to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, being the only captain to win three different limited overs ICC tournaments.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Dhoni’s family name was originally spelled 'Dhauni,' but due to a school certificate error, it became 'Dhoni' and was never officially corrected.

The Story

1
In 2001, Mahendra Singh Dhoni worked as a Travelling Ticket Examiner at Kharagpur railway station, balancing his job with his passion for cricket before his international debut in 2004.
2
🌟 Dhoni scored a staggering 183 runs against Sri Lanka in 2005, setting the highest score by a wicket-keeper in ODI cricket at that time.
3In 2007, Dhoni was unexpectedly appointed captain of India's ODI team, leading them to win the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 later that year in South Africa.
4🏆 Under his captaincy, India ended a 28-year wait by clinching the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, with Dhoni himself scoring a match-winning 91 not out in the final.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2009
Padma Shri
2018
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Before his cricket fame, Dhoni worked as a Travelling Ticket Examiner at Kharagpur railway station from 2001 to 2003, managing his job while honing cricket skills.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Mahendra Singh Dhoni keeping wickets on Day 2 of the Second Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (2010-11).
Mahendra Singh Dhoni keeping wickets on Day 2 of the Second Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (2010-11).
2012
Mahendra Singh Dhoni attending a Reebok event in 2013.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni with his wife in 2021.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

Born in Ranchi, Bihar
Birth
Born in Ranchi, Bihar
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, then part of Bihar, now in Jharkhand, India, into a Hindu Rajput family.
1981
Worked as Railway Ticket Examiner
Career
Worked as Railway Ticket Examiner
Dhoni worked as a Travelling Ticket Examiner at Kharagpur railway station from 2001 to 2003 while pursuing cricket.
2001
ODI Debut for India
Career
ODI Debut for India
Dhoni debuted in One Day Internationals against Bangladesh, marking his entry into international cricket.
2004
Named Captain of ODI Team
Career
Named Captain of ODI Team
Dhoni was appointed captain of India's ODI team and led them to win the ICC World Twenty20 later that year.
2007
India Wins ICC Cricket World Cup
Career
India Wins ICC Cricket World Cup
Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91 in the final, leading India to their first World Cup win in 28 years.
2011
Awarded Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
Award
Awarded Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
Indian Army conferred Dhoni an honorary rank in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army.
2011
Retired from International Cricket
Career
Retired from International Cricket
Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career spanning 16 years.
2020
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Dhoni owns a multi-crore collection of motorbikes, starting from his first bike which cost just Rs 4,500, reflecting his passion beyond cricket.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He is the only player to have won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award twice consecutively, in 2008 and 2009.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Despite being a wicket-keeper, Dhoni holds the record for most career runs batting at number 6 in ODIs, accumulating 4031 runs.

No quote recorded for Mahendra Singh Dhoni yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
MS Dhoni: A tactical mastermind
More from this archive
MS Dhoni: A tactical mastermind
01
MS Dhoni: A tactical mastermind
MS Dhoni Unfiltered: Captaincy Stories, Love & Trolls | Karishma Mehta, Tanmay Bhat, Kullu | EP 171
02
MS Dhoni Unfiltered: Captaincy Stories, Love & Trolls | Karishma Mehta, Tanmay Bhat, Kullu | EP 171
MS Dhoni On How He Controls His Emotions on the Cricket Field | The Quint
03
MS Dhoni On How He Controls His Emotions on the Cricket Field | The Quint
MS Dhoni on Being Captain Cool, Family, Fear & Tough Decisions! @curlytalesdigital
04
MS Dhoni on Being Captain Cool, Family, Fear & Tough Decisions! @curlytalesdigital
ENGLISH SPEECH | MS DHONI: Priceless Moments (English Subtitles)
05
ENGLISH SPEECH | MS DHONI: Priceless Moments (English Subtitles)
MS Dhoni: The Untold Journey | Inspiring Biography of a Cricket Legend | Quite Chrono
06
MS Dhoni: The Untold Journey | Inspiring Biography of a Cricket Legend | Quite Chrono
MS Dhoni Full Interview Priceless Moment | THE PSRAJ SHOW
07
MS Dhoni Full Interview Priceless Moment | THE PSRAJ SHOW
Latest MS Dhoni Podcast with @tanmaybhat @humansofbombay2801 @Kullubaazi | Ep 1 | Prabhav'24 | RIGI
08
Latest MS Dhoni Podcast with @tanmaybhat @humansofbombay2801 @Kullubaazi | Ep 1 | Prabhav'24 | RIGI
EXCLUSIVE: Dinesh Karthik reveals MS Dhoni was compared to Gary Sobers even before India debut
09
EXCLUSIVE: Dinesh Karthik reveals MS Dhoni was compared to Gary Sobers even before India debut
MS Dhoni Full Interview Priceless Moment | THE PSRAJ SHOW
10
MS Dhoni Full Interview Priceless Moment | THE PSRAJ SHOW

🌱 What changed because of them

Dhoni’s leadership redefined Indian cricket’s approach, fostering calm and strategic decision-making under pressure, which led to India topping ICC rankings and winning major ICC trophies. His success inspired greater talent scouting from smaller Indian states like Jharkhand, changing the cricketing landscape. Furthermore, his IPL successes helped elevate the tournament's global stature and financial viability.

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