Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as MS Dhoni, is one of the most successful cricketers in the history of Indian cricket. Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Dhoni started his cricketing career as a wicket-keeper-batsman in the domestic cricket circuit of India. His impressive performances in domestic cricket soon caught the attention of the national selectors, and he made his international debut in December 2004 against Bangladesh.
Dhoni quickly made a name for himself in international cricket with his flamboyant batting style and excellent wicket-keeping skills. He was soon named as the captain of the Indian cricket team in all formats of the game, and under his leadership, the Indian team achieved unprecedented success.
Jersey number 7 : A Digit of Success
In cricket, the jersey number 7 is considered to be a symbol of great significance and has been worn by some of the best players in the sport. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most prominent cricketers to have worn the number 7 jersey.
Apart from Dhoni, some other notable cricketers who have worn the number 7 jersey include the legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara, Australian great Ricky Ponting, and former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu. Each of these players has left a lasting impact on the game and has achieved great success while wearing the number 7 jersey.
In Dhoni’s case, the number 7 has become a symbol of his calm and composed demeanor on the field, his leadership skills, and his ability to finish matches for India. Dhoni’s fans all over the world identify him with the number 7, and it has become a constant feature in his cricketing journey. Whether it’s leading India to victory in the 2011 World Cup or hitting the winning six in the 2016 World T20, Dhoni’s jersey number 7 has been a lucky charm for him and has played a significant role in his success as a cricketer.
Let’s take a look at some of the key moments in Dhoni’s career where he played the helicopter shot:
The 2007 ICC World Twenty20 Final – Dhoni played the helicopter shot to hit a six off pacer Sreesanth’s bowling. The shot helped India win their first T20 World Cup title.
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final – Dhoni played the helicopter shot to hit a match-winning six off Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara’s bowling. The shot is considered to be one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history.
The 2018 Indian Premier League – Dhoni played the helicopter shot to hit a six off Kings XI Punjab’s Mohit Sharma’s bowling. The shot helped Chennai Super Kings win the match by five wickets.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won Four IPL titles as a captain with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2010, 2011, 2018 ,2021 & 2023
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not just a cricketing legend, but also one of the most successful captains in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fondly known as ‘Captain Cool’, Dhoni has led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with distinction since the inception of the tournament in 2008.
Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK has been one of the most consistent teams in the IPL. He has led the team to three IPL titles in 2010, 2011,2018, 2021 & 2023, and has guided them to the playoffs in every season that they have played.
What makes Dhoni such a successful captain in the IPL is his ability to read the game and make smart decisions under pressure. He is known to back his players and give them the freedom to express themselves, which has resulted in some of the most memorable performances in IPL history.
Dhoni’s captaincy style is also characterized by his calm demeanor, even in the most challenging situations. He has a knack for making the right decisions at the right time and has a keen sense of the game’s momentum, which has often been the difference between victory and defeat.
Apart from his captaincy, Dhoni’s wicket-keeping abilities have also been crucial to CSK’s success in the IPL. He is widely regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers in the world and has affected some crucial dismissals behind the stumps.