MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni in 2023
Born	07 July 1981 (age 44) Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India
Nationality	Indian
Education	DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali
Alma mater	St. Xavier's College, Ranchi (dropped out)
Occupation	Cricketer (Retired), Businessman
Years active	2004 – 2020 (International), 2004 – Present (Domestic/IPL)
Known for	Captaincy, Finishing Ability, Calm Under Pressure
Notable works	M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, 2011 World Cup Winning Six
Awards	Padma Bhushan in sports, Padma Shri in sports, Khel Ratna Award
Spouse(s)	Sakshi Dhoni
Parents	Pan Singh (father) Devaki Devi (mother)
Religion	Hinduism
Website	Instagram

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (born 7 July 1981) is an Indian former international cricketer and one of the most successful captains in cricket history. He led India to wins in all three ICC major tournaments — 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy. Known as "Captain Cool", Dhoni scored over 17,000 international runs and effected 829 dismissals behind the stumps.

Early Life

Dhoni was born on 7 July 1981 in Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand) into a Rajput family. His father Pan Singh worked at MECON and mother Devaki Devi was a homemaker. Initially a football goalkeeper, he shifted to cricket during school days and joined Commando Cricket Club.

Education

He studied at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, and later enrolled at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, but left to pursue cricket full-time.

Career

Before cricket, Dhoni worked as a ticket examiner at Kharagpur Railway Station. He debuted in domestic cricket for Bihar in 1999 and later played for Jharkhand.

International Career

• ODI Debut: 23 December 2004 vs Bangladesh

• Test Debut: 2 December 2005 vs Sri Lanka

He made headlines in 2005 with his 148-run knock against Pakistan.

IPL Career

Dhoni captains Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since 2008, winning IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. CSK also won two Champions League T20s under him.

Captaincy Highlights

India won:

• 2007 ICC T20 World Cup

• 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup (sealed with his iconic six)

• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy

India also became No.1 in ICC Test rankings in 2009. He retired from Tests in 2014 and from international cricket on 15 August 2020.

Achievements

• First captain to win all three ICC white-ball trophies

• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2007–08)

• Padma Shri (2009), Padma Bhushan (2018)

• ICC ODI Player of the Year (2008, 2009)

• Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame (2025)

Records

• 10,773 runs in ODIs at 50+ average

• Highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper: 183* vs Sri Lanka

• Most stumpings in ODIs: 123

• Total 195 stumpings across formats — world record

Personal Life

Dhoni married Sakshi Rawat in 2010. They have a daughter, Ziva. He holds honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. Dhoni co-owns Chennaiyin FC and launched sportswear brand SEVEN in 2016. He was the subject of the Bollywood film M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016).