Former India captain MS Dhoni recently celebrated his 45th birthday, reminding cricket fans of one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the sport.
Although Dhoni retired from international cricket several years ago, he continues to enjoy immense popularity. He remains associated with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he did not feature in a single match during the IPL 2026 season.
Recently, Dhoni was spotted watching the third T20I between India and England at Trent Bridge. During the match, he interacted with fans through light-hearted gestures. A social media page interpreted one of his gestures as him joking, “I’m old now. My beard has gone grey, and I can barely walk.” While the comment quickly went viral, it was an unofficial interpretation and not a confirmed statement from Dhoni.
From Railway Ticket Collector to Cricket Icon
Dhoni’s rise to the top of world cricket remains one of India’s most inspiring sporting stories.
Before representing India, he worked as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) with the Indian Railways. However, his passion and talent for cricket soon changed his life.
He made his international debut in 2004 and quickly gained attention with his fearless batting style. Over the years, Dhoni transformed into one of the world’s finest finishers, known for staying calm under pressure and leading his team to memorable victories.
Captain Who Won Every Major ICC Trophy
Dhoni is the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies.
Under his leadership, India won:
- ICC T20 World Cup 2007
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
- ICC Champions Trophy 2013
Moreover, his calm leadership and tactical decisions earned him the nickname “Captain Cool.”
Outstanding International Career
Dhoni finished his international career with 17,266 runs, 829 dismissals as a wicketkeeper and 538 international appearances across all formats.
His contributions with both bat and gloves helped redefine the role of a wicketkeeper-batter in modern cricket.
Remarkable ODI Record
Dhoni enjoyed his greatest success in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
In 350 ODIs, he scored 10,773 runs at an outstanding average of 50.57. His record includes:
- 10 centuries
- 73 half-centuries
- Highest score of 183 not out*
He remains one of the few middle-order batters to score more than 10,000 ODI runs while maintaining an average above 50.
As India’s ODI captain, Dhoni led the team in 200 matches, winning 110 and finishing with a win percentage of 55%.
Memorable T20 International Career
Dhoni also left a lasting impact in T20 Internationals.
He played 98 T20Is, scoring 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60 and a strike rate of 126.13.
Although his batting numbers were impressive, his biggest achievement came in 2007, when he guided India to its first-ever ICC T20 World Cup title.
As captain, he led India in 72 T20Is, winning 41 matches with a win percentage of 56.94%.
Strong Contribution in Test Cricket
Dhoni also enjoyed a successful Test career.
He represented India in 90 Test matches, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09.
His Test record includes:
- 6 centuries
- 33 half-centuries
- Highest score of 224
As captain, Dhoni led India in 60 Tests, registering 27 victories, 18 defeats, and 15 draws.
During his tenure, India reached the No. 1 position in the ICC Test rankings for the first time.
Historic Success Against Australia
Dhoni also achieved a unique milestone against Australia.
He remains the only Indian captain to lead the team to a 4-0 clean sweep over Australia in a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. India achieved this remarkable feat in both the 2010-11 and 2012-13 home series.
These victories further strengthened Dhoni’s reputation as one of India’s greatest leaders in international cricket.
Even years after retiring from international cricket, MS Dhoni continues to inspire millions of fans with his achievements, leadership, and lasting impact on Indian cricket.