’36 Facts about Dhoni’ is a cliché most Indian cricket fans encountered on the internet today. On the 36th Birthday of the much-idolized captain of India, we present to you 10 moments when Mahendra Singh Dhoni made us proud.
Former Indian skipper, a prompt wicketkeeper and one of the finest finishers of Team India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns 36 today. The ‘Captain Cool’ was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Registering his victory across three international cricket formats, Dhoni, one of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket, bagged all three ICC trophies for the country. Commander of the ‘Men in Blue’ Dhoni is famous for his aggressive and abrupt batting style. Regardless of scoring a cipher in his debut match, the BCCI showed faith in his capabilities thus, fielding him as a right-handed batsman at 7th position in the team.
The captain was unstoppable from that day on. Having played for India for nearly two decades, Dhoni gave us countless on-field moments to cherish. Here’s an account of all those times when he filled our chests up with pride.
- In his first match against Pakistan in Vizag, Dhoni scored 148 runs off 123 balls (4 sixes and 15 fours), leaving Pakistan stunned. This is when he played at the third position for the first time in 2005.
- How can we forget an 18-year-old MSD scored a half-century in his first-class debut for Bihar in 1999? A sensational performance against Assam secured his position as a regular wicketkeeper-batsman for next two seasons.
- Having represented Jharkhand for five years, in 2004, the management selected Dhoni for a tri-series involving Kenya, India A, and Pakistan A. Dhoni scored two centuries and a half-century against traumatized Pakistan in the international arena.
- Thanks to Dhoni’s quick thinking and a sharp eye for part-time bowlers, India won the tie-breaker round for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. It was a historic moment for all Indians.
- India, Sri Lanka, and Australia locked horns in a trie-series Down Under in 2008. India knocked out Sri Lanka in the very first meeting to face the mighty Aussies in the finals. With Dhoni’s leadership & Tendulkar’s brilliance, India’s buoyant bunch triumphed over the Australian cricket team in the Commonwealth Bank Series.
Motivational quote by Captain Cool - Dhoni won the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 held in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka for a cricket-crazy nation starving for the world cup since last 28 years. Dhoni-led Team India put up a superb performance against the Sri Lankans. Following the victory of Indian cricket team, Dhoni emerged as the star sensation of the year.
- In the rain-curtailed final of 2013 Champions Trophy, India enjoyed a five-run win against England. The world may have questioned his defensive tactics, but it helped us beat the British at their game.
- Replacing Anil Kumble as the Test captain of India, the magician from Jharkhand secured his first overseas 1-0 test series victory in New Zealand. Following this spectacular victory, MSD grabbed the third position on the top-10 international batsmen list.
- When India secured number one position in Test cricket, MSD got the title ‘Captain of the World XI’ in 2010 ICC Awards.
- The 2010 IPL witnessed the victory of MS Dhoni-led CSK (Chennai Super Kings) over Mumbai Indians (MI). The CSK went on to become the champions of the Indian Premier League.
Every Indian relates with these moments and feels proud to have had Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the former captain of Men in Blue. Now that Virat Kohli has been put in Dhoni’s shoes, we expect him to live up to the reputation of MSD.
We wish Dhoni a happy birthday and plenty of good wishes for the coming days ahead!
