MS Dhoni Biography: Birth, Age, Education, Cricket Career, World Cup, IPL, Records, Awards, Movies, Retirement and More

MS Dhoni Biography: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, commonly known as MS Dhoni, is a former Indian cricket team captain and one of the greatest cricket players of all time. He is considered to be one of the most successful cricket captains in the history of Indian cricket, having led the Indian team to many victories and achievements. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at MS Dhoni’s life and career, including his early life, his journey to becoming a professional cricketer, his achievements as a player and captain, and his personal life.

MS Dhoni Early Life

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. His father, Pan Singh, worked for MECON, a public sector engineering company, while his mother, Devki Devi, was a homemaker. MS Dhoni had a passion for cricket from a young age and would often play with his friends in the streets and fields of Ranchi. He attended the Jawahar Vidya Mandir school in Ranchi, where he excelled in both academics and sports.

MS Dhoni Family

MS Dhoni was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, to Pan Singh and Devaki Devi. He has an elder brother named Narendra Singh Dhoni and an elder sister named Jayanti Gupta.

MS Dhoni is married to Sakshi Singh Rawat, whom he met in Kolkata where she was working as an intern in a hotel. The couple got married on July 4, 2010, in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends. They have a daughter named Ziva, who was born on February 6, 2015.

MS Dhoni’s parents were originally from Uttarakhand, and his father worked in junior management positions in MECON, a public sector undertaking. His family belongs to the Rajput community and is known for their love of sports. Pan Singh was a footballer, while his grandfather was a wrestler.

MS Dhoni’s family has been very supportive of his cricketing career. His father used to take him to the local cricket matches in Ranchi and helped him to hone his skills. His mother used to take care of his fitness and diet, while his sister and brother provided emotional support. MS Dhoni has often credited his family for his success in cricket.

Read Also: Nirmala Sitharaman Biography

MS Dhoni Education

MS Dhoni received his early education from the DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir School in Ranchi. He was a bright student and excelled in both academics and sports. However, he had to give up his studies after completing class 12 due to financial constraints and his passion for cricket.

Although he did not pursue higher education, MS Dhoni is known for his intelligence and strategic thinking, which have been critical to his success as a cricketer and captain. He has a sharp cricketing mind and is known for his ability to read the game and make quick decisions on the field. He has also completed a short-term training in the Indian Army and is an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.

MS DhoniPersonal Information

Here’s some personal information about MS Dhoni:

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Nicknames: MS, Mahi, Captain Cool

Date of Birth: July 7, 1981

Age: 41 years (as of 2022)

Place of Birth: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)

Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)

Eye Color: Black

Hair Color: Black

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Religion: Hinduism

Nationality: Indian

Education: Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)

Marital Status: Married

Spouse: Sakshi Singh Rawat

Children: 1 daughter (Ziva Dhoni)

Occupation: Cricketer (former Indian national team captain)

Hobbies: Biking, playing football, playing billiards, listening to music

MS Dhoni is known for his calm and composed demeanor both on and off the field, which has earned him the nickname “Captain Cool”. He is also known for his love of biking and has a collection of motorcycles, including several vintage models. In addition to cricket, he has also expressed a keen interest in football and billiards.

MS Dhoni Net Worth

As of 2022, MS Dhoni’s net worth is estimated to be around $170 million (approximately INR 1,250 crore). He is one of the highest-paid cricketers in the world, thanks to his successful cricket career and several brand endorsements.

MS Dhoni has been associated with several brands over the years, including PepsiCo, Reebok, Sony, Aircel, and more recently, Dream11, Indigo Paints, and Cars24. He is also the co-owner of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is estimated to be worth over $50 million.

In addition to his cricket earnings and brand endorsements, MS Dhoni also has several investments in real estate and other ventures. He owns a farmhouse in Ranchi, several properties in Mumbai, and co-owns a sports academy in Dubai.

Despite his massive wealth, MS Dhoni is known for his simple and humble lifestyle. He is often seen wearing casual clothes and is known to prefer simple and nutritious food over lavish meals. He has also been actively involved in various social causes and has made significant contributions towards education and healthcare in his home state of Jharkhand.

Journey to Becoming a Professional Cricketer

MS Dhoni’s journey to becoming a professional cricketer began in 1998 when he was selected to play for the Bihar U-19 cricket team. He made his debut in the Cooch Behar Trophy and quickly made a name for himself with his excellent wicket-keeping skills and aggressive batting. In 2001, he made his debut for the Bihar Ranji Trophy team and scored a century in his second match. In 2003, he was selected to play for the East Zone in the Duleep Trophy and scored a century in the final, which helped his team win the trophy.

MS Dhoni’s breakthrough came in 2004 when he was selected to play for the India A team in a tri-series against Kenya and Pakistan. He performed well in the series, scoring two half-centuries and a century. His performances caught the attention of the Indian selectors, and he was selected to play for the Indian cricket team in December 2004.

MS Dhoni Domestic Career

MS Dhoni’s domestic career began in 1999 when he was selected to play for the Bihar U-19 cricket team. He made his debut in the Cooch Behar Trophy and quickly made a name for himself with his excellent wicket-keeping skills and aggressive batting. In 2001, he made his debut for the Bihar Ranji Trophy team and scored a century in his second match. He played for Bihar until 2004, when the state of Jharkhand was created and Bihar was split into two teams – Bihar and Jharkhand. MS Dhoni decided to represent Jharkhand and played for them until his retirement from domestic cricket in 2019.

MS Dhoni was known for his explosive batting and excellent wicket-keeping skills in domestic cricket as well. He was particularly effective in limited-overs cricket and played some memorable innings in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and other domestic tournaments. He also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and was the captain of the team for over a decade.

Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, CSK won three IPL titles in 2010, 2011, and 2018. He was known for his astute captaincy, calm demeanor, and ability to inspire his teammates to perform at their best. MS Dhoni’s contribution to domestic cricket in India is immense, and he is considered to be one of the greatest players to have played in the Indian domestic circuit.

MS Dhoni International Career and Debut

MS Dhoni made his international debut for India in December 2004 in an ODI match against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He was selected as a wicket-keeper and middle-order batsman, and he scored just 0 in his first match. However, he quickly established himself as a crucial member of the Indian cricket team with his aggressive batting, lightning-quick wicket-keeping skills, and excellent captaincy.

MS Dhoni’s breakthrough performance came in 2005, when he scored his maiden ODI century against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam. He scored 148 runs in that match, which was his first significant contribution to the Indian team’s success. Over the next few years, MS Dhoni became an integral part of the Indian team and played a vital role in India’s victories in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Read Also: Jhulan Goswami Wiki, Biography

In 2007, MS Dhoni was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team for the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. He led India to victory in that tournament, defeating Pakistan in the final, and became the first captain to win a major ICC tournament in his first attempt. He continued to lead the Indian team in all formats of the game and is considered one of India’s most successful captains.

MS Dhoni’s international career spanned 15 years, during which he played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is for India. He scored over 10,000 runs in ODIs and is the only captain to have won all three major ICC tournaments – the World Cup, the World Twenty20, and the Champions Trophy. He retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, after India’s tour of the West Indies.

MS Dhoni Test Career and debut

MS Dhoni made his Test debut for India in December 2005 in a match against Sri Lanka in Chennai. He was selected as a wicket-keeper and middle-order batsman and scored 30 runs in his first innings. However, he struggled initially in Test cricket and was dropped from the team after a string of poor performances.

MS Dhoni made a comeback to the Test team in 2008 and was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team in 2008-09. Under his leadership, the Indian team reached the pinnacle of Test cricket and became the No. 1 Test team in the world for the first time in 2009.

MS Dhoni was known for his aggressive captaincy and innovative tactics in Test cricket. He led the Indian team to several memorable victories, including the 2010-11 series win against Australia, which was India’s first Test series win in Australia in over 60 years. He also led India to a historic Test series victory in England in 2007, and a Test series win in New Zealand in 2009.

MS Dhoni played 90 Test matches for India and scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, including 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries. He also took 256 catches and made 38 stumpings, which is the most by any wicket-keeper in Test cricket. MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket in December 2014 after the third Test against Australia in Melbourne.

MS Dhoni IPL Career And Debut

MS Dhoni made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in 2008, when he was signed by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the inaugural season of the tournament. He was appointed as the captain of the team and led CSK to the final in the first season, where they lost to the Rajasthan Royals.

MS Dhoni’s leadership skills and calm demeanor under pressure made him a popular figure in the IPL. He led the Chennai Super Kings to the IPL title in 2010 and 2011 and also led the team to the Champions League Twenty20 title in 2010 and 2014.

MS Dhoni’s aggressive captaincy and powerful hitting made him one of the most successful players in the IPL. He is known for his ability to finish matches and has won several matches for his team with his finishing skills. He also holds the record for the most number of dismissals by a wicket-keeper in the IPL.

MS Dhoni has played for the Chennai Super Kings throughout his IPL career, except for two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the team was banned from the tournament. He returned to lead the team in 2018 and took them to the final, where they lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He continued to play for the team until 2020, when he announced his retirement from international cricket.

In total, MS Dhoni played 204 matches in the IPL and scored 4,632 runs at an average of 40.99, including 23 half-centuries. He also took 132 catches and made 38 stumpings, which is the most by any wicket-keeper in the tournament. MS Dhoni is considered one of the most successful captains in the history of the IPL, having led the Chennai Super Kings to three IPL titles and two Champions League titles.

MS Dhoni Stats

MS Dhoni is one of the most successful cricketers in the history of the game, with numerous records and achievements to his name. Here are some of his key stats:

Test cricket: MS Dhoni played 90 Test matches for India and scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, including 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries. He also took 256 catches and made 38 stumpings.
One Day International (ODI) cricket: MS Dhoni played 350 ODI matches for India and scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries. He also took 256 catches and made 38 stumpings.
T20 International cricket: MS Dhoni played 98 T20I matches for India and scored 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60, including 2 half-centuries. He also took 57 catches and made 34 stumpings.
Indian Premier League (IPL): MS Dhoni played 204 matches in the IPL and scored 4,632 runs at an average of 40.99, including 23 half-centuries. He also took 132 catches and made 38 stumpings.
Captaincy: MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the best captains in the history of cricket. He led India to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He also led the Chennai Super Kings to three IPL titles and two Champions League titles.
Awards and honors: MS Dhoni has won numerous awards and honors for his achievements in cricket, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honor. He has also been named as the ICC ODI Player of the Year twice (in 2008 and 2009) and was named as the captain of the ICC World Test XI and the ICC ODI XI several times.

MS Dhoni Records

MS Dhoni holds numerous records in cricket, both as a player and a captain. Here are some of his notable records:

Most wins as captain in international cricket: MS Dhoni led India to victory in 110 matches across all formats of international cricket, which is the most by any captain in history.
Most matches as captain in international cricket: MS Dhoni captained India in 332 matches across all formats of international cricket, which is the most by any captain in history.
Most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper in international cricket: MS Dhoni has taken 634 dismissals (256 catches and 38 stumpings) in international cricket as a wicketkeeper, which is the most by any Indian wicketkeeper.
Most catches as wicketkeeper in T20 international cricket: MS Dhoni has taken 57 catches in T20I cricket as a wicketkeeper, which is the most by any wicketkeeper in the format.
Fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket: MS Dhoni scored a century off just 93 balls against Pakistan in 2006, which is the fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket.
Most sixes by an Indian player in international cricket: MS Dhoni has hit 359 sixes in international cricket, which is the most by any Indian player.
Most sixes by a captain in international cricket: MS Dhoni has hit 204 sixes as captain in international cricket, which is the most by any captain in history.
Most matches played for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL: MS Dhoni has played 204 matches for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which is the most by any player for a single team.
Most consecutive innings as captain in the IPL: MS Dhoni captained the Chennai Super Kings in 159 consecutive matches in the IPL between 2009 and 2018, which is the most by any captain in the tournament.
Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in the IPL: MS Dhoni has taken 132 dismissals (94 catches and 38 stumpings) in the IPL as a wicketkeeper, which is the most by any wicketkeeper in the tournament.

MS Dhoni Awards

MS Dhoni has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to cricket. Here are some of the notable awards and honors he has received:

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: MS Dhoni was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor, in 2007 for his outstanding performances in cricket.
Padma Shri: MS Dhoni was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2009 for his contributions to cricket.
ICC ODI Player of the Year: MS Dhoni was named the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009 for his performances in one-day international cricket.
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award: MS Dhoni was awarded the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2011 for his decision to recall Ian Bell after he was run out in a controversial manner during a Test match between India and England.
Honorary Doctorate: MS Dhoni was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in 2011 by De Montfort University in Leicester, England, for his contributions to cricket.
CNN-IBN Indian of the Year: MS Dhoni was named the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in 2011 for his contributions to Indian cricket.
Padma Bhushan: MS Dhoni was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, in 2018 for his contributions to cricket.
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel: MS Dhoni was conferred the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army in 2011. He has also completed a two-week stint with the Territorial Army in 2019.

MS Dhoni ICC Rankings

MS Dhoni has had a highly successful cricket career and has been ranked among the top cricketers in the world by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in various formats of the game. Here’s a look at his rankings:

ODI Rankings:

Batting: MS Dhoni’s highest ODI batting ranking was No. 1, which he achieved in 2010. He was also ranked as the No. 1 ODI all-rounder in 2009.
Wicket-keeping: MS Dhoni has been consistently ranked among the top ODI wicket-keepers in the world. He was ranked No. 1 in 2010 and has been ranked among the top five wicket-keepers for most of his career.

Test Rankings:

Batting: MS Dhoni’s highest Test batting ranking was No. 19, which he achieved in 2009. He was ranked as the No. 1 Test wicket-keeper in the world in 2009 and 2010.
Wicket-keeping: MS Dhoni has been consistently ranked among the top Test wicket-keepers in the world. He was ranked No. 1 in 2009 and 2010 and has been ranked among the top five wicket-keepers for most of his career.

T20 Rankings:

Batting: MS Dhoni’s highest T20 batting ranking was No. 9, which he achieved in 2012. He has not been ranked among the top T20 batsmen in recent years.
Wicket-keeping: MS Dhoni has been ranked among the top T20 wicket-keepers in the world. He was ranked No. 1 in 2012 and has been ranked among the top five wicket-keepers for most of his T20 career.

Overall, MS Dhoni’s consistent performances with the bat and gloves have earned him high rankings in all formats of the game. His ability to remain calm under pressure and lead his team to victory has made him one of the most successful cricketers in the world.

Read Also: Smriti Mandhana Wiki Biography

Movies on MS Dhoni

There have been two movies made on the life of MS Dhoni, one is a Bollywood movie titled “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story” and the other is a Tamil movie titled “MS Dhoni: The Untold Journey”.

“MS Dhoni: The Untold Story” is a biographical film released in 2016, directed by Neeraj Pandey and starring Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role. The film chronicles Dhoni’s journey from a small town in Jharkhand to becoming the captain of the Indian cricket team and winning the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The movie also features Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, and Anupam Kher in supporting roles.

“MS Dhoni: The Untold Journey” is a Tamil film released in 2021, directed by Santhosh Prathap and starring Sandeep Kishan in the lead role. The film follows a similar narrative as the Bollywood movie, chronicling Dhoni’s rise to fame and success as a cricketer.

Both movies were well-received by audiences and critics alike and were box office successes. The Bollywood movie in particular was a huge hit, grossing over INR 2.16 billion worldwide. The movies have helped to further elevate the popularity and legacy of MS Dhoni, who is considered one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played for India.

MS Dhoni retirement

MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, via an Instagram post. He retired from all formats of the game, including Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

In his post, Dhoni expressed his gratitude towards his teammates, coaches, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support throughout his career. He also thanked his fans and well-wishers for their love and support, stating that he had lived the dream of every child who had ever picked up a cricket bat.

Dhoni’s decision to retire came as a surprise to many, as he had not played for India since the 2019 Cricket World Cup. However, he had continued to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise.

Dhoni’s retirement marked the end of an era in Indian cricket, as he had been one of the most successful and iconic cricketers in the country’s history. His leadership and contributions to the Indian cricket team had helped to elevate the sport to new heights, and he had become a beloved figure among cricket fans not just in India, but around the world.

Read More: