Hyderabad and Nandigama, Andhra Pradesh, reverberated with admiration as cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrated his 42nd birthday today. Dhoni, the only captain in cricket history to have triumphed in all three ICC trophies, was honoured with colossal cut-outs showcasing his remarkable achievements.
A towering 52-foot tall cut-out of Dhoni, adorned in the iconic Indian jersey, greeted fans in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, in Nandigama, a magnificent 77-foot tall tribute displayed him in the training kit of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the team he led to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles.
Dhoni’s captaincy legacy remains unparalleled, as he steered India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy (2013), ICC T20 World Cup (2007), and ICC ODI World Cup (2011). Under his leadership, India ascended to the pinnacle of Test cricket, claiming the coveted world No. 1 ranking in 2009.
Dhoni has also been awarded with numerous prestigious awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan. He also won the ICC ODI Player of the Year for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009.
While stepping down as Test captain in 2014 and relinquishing T20I and ODI captaincy in 2017, Dhoni continues to inspire as “Thala” for his ardent CSK fans. During CSK’s ban, he showcased his prowess with the Rising Pune Supergiants.
With a stellar career spanning 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is, Dhoni’s bat recorded 10,773 and 1617 runs, respectively. He amassed 10 centuries and 73 fifties in ODIs, along with two half-centuries in T20Is. In the Test format, Dhoni amassed 4876 runs, featuring six centuries and 33 fifties.
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