On July 7, 2025, the absolute cricketing legend MS Dhoni turned 44 years old, and the greatest honor in cricket was already in his hands. The legendary captain received his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Abbey Road Studios in London earlier this year, securing his place among cricket's greatest players.

Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Dhoni is a small-town wicketkeeper who has become a legend of cricket, which is why this high award is so appropriate. His induction into the Hall of Fame acknowledges his personal greatness and his revolutionizing of cricket leadership and wicketkeeping skills in all forms of the game.

Dhoni is the first and only captain in the history of cricket to win all three ICC white-ball tournaments, the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. He was nicknamed Captain Cool because of his composure in pressure situations and every victory. His unorthodox leadership style brought Indian cricket to exceptional success.

The numbers are not the whole story of Dhoni. The 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches in all forms of the game by India are not just of high quality but also of high consistency, fitness and durability. His ODI records include the most stumpings in the format (123), the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper (183*) and the most matches as captain of India (200).

Dhoni changed the game as a wicketkeeper, behind the stumps. His lightning-fast stumpings and razor-sharp anticipation revolutionized wicketkeeping in limited-overs cricket. His unconventional techniques were not conventional but produced unparalleled results, and shaped a generation of wicketkeepers across the globe. 

The most unforgettable event of Dhoni was the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His 91 not out in 79 balls earned India its first World Cup win in 28 years. The six he hit to win the tournament is one of the most famous moments in cricket.

Dhoni became the 11th Indian to enter the ICC Hall of Fame and he is in the company of cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid. His induction with Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, and Graeme Smith further confirms his international influence on the game. 

Dhoni still has an impact even after his retirement in international cricket. Chennai Super Kings retained him as an uncapped player in IPL 2025, showing his continued worth to the franchise format. His leadership in CSK has won him several IPL trophies and this has seen his legacy go beyond international cricket.

MS Dhoni celebrating his 44th Birthday 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/SYVATE9FUG

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) July 7, 2025