MS Dhoni facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lieutenant colonel Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Dhoni in 2023
Personal details
Born	(1981-07-07) 7 July 1981 (age 43) Ranchi, Bihar (present-day Jharkhand), India
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Spouse	Sakshi Dhoni
Awards	Padma Bhushan (2018) Padma Shri (2009) Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2008)
Nicknames	Mahi, Thala, Captain Cool
Military service
Allegiance	India
Branch/service	Indian Army
Years of service	2011–present
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Unit	Territorial Army
Personal information Full name Mahendra Singh Dhoni Batting Right-handed Bowling Right-arm medium Role Wicket-keeper-batter International information National side India (2004–2019) Test debut (cap 251) 2 December 2005 v Sri Lanka Last Test 26 December 2014 v Australia ODI debut (cap 158) 23 December 2004 v Bangladesh Last ODI 9 July 2019 v New Zealand ODI shirt no. 7 T20I debut (cap 2) 1 December 2006 v South Africa Last T20I 27 February 2019 v Australia T20I shirt no. 7 Domestic team information Years Team 1999–2004 Bihar 2004–2017 Jharkhand 2008–2015, 2018–present Chennai Super Kings (squad no. 7) 2016–2017 Rising Pune Supergiant (squad no. 7) Career statistics Competition Test ODI T20I T20 Matches 90 350 98 377 Runs scored 4,876 10,773 1,617 7,271 Batting average 38.09 50.57 37.60 37.86 100s/50s 6/33 10/73 0/2 0/28 Top score 224 183* 56 85* Balls bowled 96 36 – 12 Wickets 0 1 – 0 Bowling average – 31.00 – – 5 wickets in innings – 0 – – 10 wickets in match – 0 – – Best bowling – 1/14 – – Catches/stumpings 256/38 321/123 57/34 214/87 Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  India ICC Cricket World Cup Winner 2011 India–Bangladesh–Sri Lanka ICC T20 World Cup Winner 2007 South Africa Runner-up 2014 Bangladesh ICC Champions Trophy Winner 2013 England and Wales Runner-up 2017 England and Wales ACC Asia Cup Winner 2010 Sri Lanka Winner 2016 Bangladesh Winner 2018 UAE Runner-up 2008 Pakistan Source: ESPNcricinfo, 1 December 2023

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (born 7 July 1981) is a famous Indian professional cricketer. He is known as a right-handed batter and a wicket-keeper. Many people consider him one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen and captains ever.

Dhoni played for the Indian cricket team. He was the captain for limited overs games from 2007 to 2017. He also led the test cricket team from 2008 to 2014. Dhoni has captained India in more international matches than anyone else. He is also India's most successful captain.

He led India to win the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He is the only captain to win all three of these major ICC tournaments. He also led teams that won the Asia Cup in 2010 and 2016. He was part of the winning team in 2018.

Dhoni was born in Ranchi. He started his first-class cricket career for Bihar in 1999. He played his first international game for India on 23 December 2004. This was an ODI against Bangladesh. A year later, he played his first Test match against Sri Lanka.

In 2007, he became the captain of the ODI team. By 2008, he was leading India in all forms of cricket. Dhoni stopped playing Test cricket in 2014. He continued to play limited-overs cricket until 2019. He scored over 17,000 runs in international cricket. This includes more than 10,000 runs in ODIs, with an impressive average of over 50.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhoni plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has led CSK to the finals ten times. They have won the IPL title five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023). He also led CSK to win two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014. Dhoni is one of the few batsmen to score over 5,000 runs in the IPL. He was also the first wicket-keeper to achieve this.

In 2008, the Government of India gave Dhoni India's highest sports honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. He received the Padma Shri in 2009 and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. These are high civilian awards. Dhoni also holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. The Indian Army gave him this honor in 2011. He is one of the most popular cricketers in the world.

Early Life and Cricket Beginnings

Growing Up in Ranchi

Dhoni was born on 7 July 1981 in Ranchi, which was then in Bihar (now in Jharkhand). His parents, Pan Singh and Devaki Devi, came from a village in Uttar Pradesh. He was the youngest of three children.

His family spells their last name as "Dhauni." However, due to a spelling mistake on his school certificates, it became "Dhoni." Even though his family tried to fix it, the spelling was never changed.

From Football to Cricket

Dhoni went to DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir for school. He first played football as a goal keeper. His coach, Keshav Banerjee, suggested he try cricket instead.

From 2001 to 2003, Dhoni worked as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) at Kharagpur. This was for the Indian Railways.

Early Cricket Days

Dhoni played as a wicket-keeper for the Commando cricket club from 1995 to 1998. He then played for the Central Coal Fields Limited (CCL) team in 1998. At CCL, he batted higher up the order, helping his team get promoted.

Because of his good club cricket performance, he was chosen for the 1997/98 Vinoo Mankad Trophy under-16 championship. He continued to play well in youth tournaments. In 1999, he made his first-class debut for Bihar. He scored 68 runs in his second innings.

Dhoni started playing for Jharkhand in 2002. He also played for East Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. Here, he became known for his powerful batting style. In 2004, Dhoni was selected for the India A team. He toured Zimbabwe and Kenya. He performed very well, scoring two centuries against Pakistan A.

Dhoni's International Cricket Journey

Making His Debut for India

In the early 2000s, India was looking for a good wicket-keeper batsman. Dhoni's strong performances for India A led to his selection. He joined the ODI team for a tour of Bangladesh in December 2004.

Dhoni played his first international match on 23 December 2004. He was unfortunately run out for a duck (zero runs). However, he was still chosen for the next series against Pakistan.

Rising Star: Big Scores and Captaincy

In his fifth ODI, against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam, Dhoni scored an amazing 148 runs. This was the highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper at the time. Later, in October 2005, against Sri Lanka, he scored an unbeaten 183 runs. He was batting at number 3. This innings helped India win and earned him the "Man of the Series" award.

Dhoni keeping wickets in a test match

Dhoni became a regular player for India. He made his Test debut in December 2005 against Sri Lanka. He scored his first Test half-century in his second match. He also scored his first Test century against Pakistan in 2006. In December 2006, Dhoni played his first T20 international match against South Africa. The ICC named him in the "ODI Team of the Year" for 2006.

Leading India to World Cup Glory

In 2007, Dhoni was made vice-captain of the ODI team. Then, he was chosen to lead the Indian team for the first-ever 2007 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. Dhoni led India to a fantastic victory, beating Pakistan in the final! After this success, Dhoni became the captain of the Indian cricket team in all formats.

Wicket-keeping kit and bat used by Dhoni during the 2011 Cricket World Cup on display at the Blades of Glory Cricket Museum

One of Dhoni's biggest achievements was leading India in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. India was one of the host nations. India won its second-ever ODI World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Dhoni was named "Man of the Match" for his unbeaten 91 runs in that final.

In 2013, Dhoni led India to win the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. This made him the first and only captain in international cricket to win all three major ICC limited-overs trophies (T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy). He was also named captain and wicket-keeper of the "Team of the Tournament" by the ICC.

Dhoni batting against South Africa during the group stage match of 2013 ICC Champions Trophy

Dhoni also led India to the final of the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, where they finished as runners-up. He was again named captain and wicket-keeper of the "Team of the Tournament."

Test Retirement and Final Years

Dhoni played his last Test series in December 2014 during India's tour of Australia. After the third Test, he announced his retirement from Test cricket. In his last Test, he set a record for most dismissals by an Indian wicket-keeper in a match.

During the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Dhoni became the first Indian captain to win all group stage matches. India reached the semi-finals but lost to Australia, who eventually won the tournament. Dhoni had a good series, scoring 237 runs.

Dhoni led India to victory in the 2016 Asia Cup, where India remained unbeaten. In January 2017, Dhoni stepped down as India's captain for ODIs. He continued to play as a wicket-keeper batsman. In August 2017, he became the first wicket-keeper to complete 100 stumpings in ODIs. In February 2018, he reached 400 dismissals in ODIs.

In April 2019, he was chosen for India's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. On 9 July 2019, Dhoni played his 350th and final ODI match. This was the semi-final loss against New Zealand. Dhoni officially announced his retirement from international cricket on 15 August 2020.

Domestic and IPL Career

Playing for States

Dhoni played for the Bihar state cricket team from 1999. Later, he represented Jharkhand. He also played for other domestic teams like Rajasthan Cricket Association President's XI, East Zone, and Rest of India.

In February 2017, Dhoni was appointed captain of the Jharkhand team for the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored his first domestic List-A century in this tournament.

IPL Success with Chennai Super Kings

Dhoni with Chennai Super Kings in 2011

In 2008, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought Dhoni for US$1.5 million. He was the most expensive player in the first-ever IPL auction. He led CSK to the finals in the first season.

Under his captaincy, CSK won the IPL title in 2010. They also won the Champions League that year. Dhoni led CSK to their second IPL title in 2011. He also led them to another Champions League title in 2014.

After CSK was suspended for two years, Dhoni played for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 and 2017. He then returned to CSK for the 2018 season. He led his team to their third IPL title that year.

Dhoni led CSK to win the IPL again in 2021 and 2023. Under his leadership, CSK became the most successful IPL team with five title wins. Dhoni has played the most matches in the IPL. Before the 2024 season, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Life Outside Cricket

Military and Business Ventures

Chief of Army Staff General V. K. Singh bestowing the honorary rank of Lieutenant colonel to Dhoni

Dhoni holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. The Indian Army gave him this honor in 2011. He even became a qualified paratrooper in 2015 after completing five parachute jumps. In 2019, he spent two weeks with the Territorial Army in Jammu and Kashmir. Dhoni once said, "Since childhood I wanted to join the Army. Seeing the soldiers, I thought that one day I'll be the same."

Dhoni is also involved in various businesses. He is a co-owner of Chennai's football club Chennaiyin FC. He also co-owns the hockey club Ranchi Rays. In 2016, Dhoni launched his own lifestyle brand called SEVEN. He is also its brand ambassador. He has invested in other companies like CARS24 and Shaka Harry.

Entertainment and Popularity

The No.7 jersey of the Indian cricket team made popular by Dhoni

In 2019, Dhoni Entertainment started producing content. Their first show was a documentary series called Roar of the Lion. It was about Chennai Super Kings' ban from the IPL and their return. His production house also made a Tamil movie called LGM. Dhoni even made a special appearance in actor Vijay's film G.O.A.T.

Dhoni is one of the most popular cricketers globally. He is a brand ambassador for over 35 brands. In 2022, he had over 75 million followers on social media. His popularity is often compared to Sachin Tendulkar. The No. 7 jersey, made famous by Dhoni, was retired by the BCCI in 2023 as a special honor. Fans in Chennai often call him 'Thala', which means leader in Tamil.

Playing Style and Leadership

Dhoni in 2008

Dhoni is a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. He has a unique batting style. He hits the ball with great power, especially towards the long-on and mid-wicket areas. He is known for his powerful pull shots and hook shots. Dhoni holds the bat with a strong grip. He is also one of the fastest runners between the wickets. He is famous for his "helicopter shot" technique, which he learned from a childhood friend. As a batsman, he is excellent at finishing games in tough situations.

As a wicket-keeper, Dhoni is praised for his quick reflexes behind the stumps. He is also known for his unusual but effective captaincy. He is easy to approach and has a reputation as a very successful leader. Dhoni is also famous for staying calm on the field. This earned him the nickname "Captain Cool."

Personal Life

Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat on 4 July 2010 in Dehradun. They have a daughter named Ziva Dhoni, who was born on 6 February 2015. Dhoni lives in his farmhouse outside Ranchi. He loves cars and bikes and has a large collection of them.

Career Highlights

Dhoni scored 4,876 runs in Test matches. In ODIs, he scored 10,773 runs with an average of over 50. He hit 16 centuries and 106 half-centuries in international cricket. Dhoni has one of the highest batting averages in ODI cricket. He also scored over 3,200 runs in 377 T20 matches.

As a wicket-keeper, Dhoni took 634 catches and completed 195 stumpings in his international career. This makes him one of the best wicket-keepers of all time.

Captaincy Records

Dhoni became the captain of the Indian team in 2007. By 2008, he was leading the team in all formats. He captained India in 332 matches, including 200 ODIs. He is considered one of the most successful captains ever.

Major Records and Achievements

Here are some of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's amazing records:

Tests

• Most runs by an Indian wicket-keeper (4,876)
• Most sixes by an Indian captain (78)
• Most dismissals by an Indian wicket-keeper (294)

ODIs

• Most wins by an Indian captain (110)
• Second most runs as captain (6,641)
• First player to score over 10,000 runs with an average of over 50
• Most not-outs (84)
• Highest score by a wicket-keeper (183 not out)
• Most stumpings by any wicket-keeper (123)

T20Is

• Most stumpings as wicket-keeper (34)
• Most catches as wicket-keeper in a T20I innings (5)

Overall International Cricket

• Most international matches as captain (332)
• Most stumpings (195) and the only wicket-keeper to make 150 stumpings
• Third most dismissals as a wicket-keeper (829)

Awards and Honors

Team Achievements

• T20 World Cup: 2007
• Asia Cup: 2010, 2016, 2018
• Cricket World Cup: 2011
• ICC Champions Trophy: 2013

Chennai Super Kings Achievements

• Indian Premier League: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023
• Champions League: 2010, 2014

Individual Awards

Dhoni receiving the Padma Bhushan award from then President of India Ram Nath Kovind in April 2018

• MTV Youth Icon of the Year: 2006
• ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (captain in 2009, 2011–2014)
• Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna award: 2008 (India's highest sports honor)
• ICC ODI Player of the Year: 2008, 2009
• Padma Shri: 2009 (Fourth highest civilian award in India)
• Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Parachute Regiment of the Indian Territorial Army: 2011
• Padma Bhushan: 2018 (Third highest civilian award in India)
• ICC Men's ODI team of the decade: 2011–2020 (captain and wicket-keeper)
• ICC Men's T20I team of the decade: 2011–2020 (captain and wicket-keeper)
• ICC Spirit of the cricket award of the decade: 2011–2020

Other Honors

• In 2011, De Montfort University gave Dhoni an honorary doctorate.
• In 2019, the Jharkhand Cricket Association named the south stand of the JSCA stadium after Dhoni.
• In 2023, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honored him by dedicating seats (J282–J286) at the Wankhede Stadium. This is where he hit the winning shot in the 2011 World Cup final.

Images for kids

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  Chief of Army Staff General V. K. Singh bestowing the honorary rank of Lieutenant colonel to Dhoni

See also

In Spanish: Mahendra Singh Dhoni para niños