MS Dhoni Birthday: In his 15-year-long career, Dhoni has led India to several trophy-winning campaigns, creating an unparalleled legacy in the history of the game

On his 42nd birthday, Dhoni is being enthusiastically celebrated by fans nationwide.

MS Dhoni led the Indian cricket team to World Cup glory in 2007. Dhoni, with his calm composure and shrewd captaincy, lifted the much-coveted trophy in the very first edition of the T20 World Cup. Facing Pakistan in the final, Dhoni’s men produced an epic performance to prevail over their arch-rivals.

His leadership prowess propelled India to victory in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the first and only captain to triumph in the Champions Trophy, ICC T20 World Cup (2007), and ICC ODI World Cup (2011).

After taking over the team's reigns in 2007, the Dhoni-led Indian team became the world No. 1 Test team for the first time in 2009.

The Government of India has awarded Dhoni the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2007), the Padma Shri (2009) and the Padma Bhushan (2018) for this contribution to sport. He was also named the ICC ODI Player of the Year for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009).

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (L) hits a six to win against Sri Lanka as teammate Yuvraj Singh reacts during the Cricket World Cup 2011 final at The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2, 2011. India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets.

That will remain in this writer’s memory for a lifetime. One of the fastest runners between the wicket being run out in the 2019 World Cup was shattering. Who knew that the iconic journey of India’s extremely, if not most, impactful cricketer has come full circle? He was leaving the field in India Blues one last time. Many believed that if the pandemic would not have happened, Mahi would have played another T20 World Cup.

His departure from Indian international cricket was discussed at homes, in groups outdoors, on street corners, in cricket academies, and in offices. The media coverage was unprecedented. For billions of cricket lovers, MS Dhoni was an emotion, a phenomenon – and he continues to be so.

Dhoni stepped down as Test captain during India's tour of Australia in 2014 after playing his 90th Test and then gave up the T20I and ODI captaincy in January 2017. He still has the most wins by an India captain in both the white-ball formats.

Famously called 'Thala' by his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans, Dhoni has led the IPL franchise ever since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008. CSK have won five IPL titles under his captaincy.