MS Dhoni Biography: Birthday, Age, Height, Weight, Education, Cricket career, Facts & Awards

MS Dhoni Biography: Highlights

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a professional cricket player from India who bats right-handed and keeps wickets. Recognized as one of the most prolific wicket-keeper-batsmen and captains, he played for the Indian cricket team and captained the squad in test cricket from 2008 to 2014 as well as limited-overs games from 2007 to 2017. Being the most successful Indian captain, Dhoni has led his country in the most international games. As the only captain to win three separate limited overs ICC competitions, he guided India to success in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. In addition, he served as captain of the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cup winning teams and was a member of the winning team.

Dhoni, who was raised in Ranchi, debuted for Bihar in 1999. He played his first test match for the Indian cricket team against Sri Lanka a year after making his debut on December 23, 2004, in an ODI against Bangladesh. He took over as captain of the ODI team in 2007 and eventually assumed command of all forms by 2008. Dhoni played limited overs cricket until 2019 after retiring from test cricket in 2014. In international cricket, he has amassed 17,266 runs, with over 10,000 runs at an average of over 50 in one-day formats.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhoni plays for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and he has led his team to ten finals and five titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023). In addition, he led CSK to two Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014. Dhoni is one of the elite few batsmen in the Indian Premier League who have reached the five thousand run milestone. He was the first wicketkeeper to do it.

The greatest athletic honor in India, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, was given to Dhoni by the Indian government in 2008. In 2009, he received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, and in 2018, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian distinction. In 2011, the Indian Army bestowed onto Dhoni the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel within the Indian Territorial Army’s Parachute Regiment. He is one of the most popular cricket players in the world.

Early Life

Birthday

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, then part of Bihar and now in Jharkhand, India. This small-town beginning didn’t deter him from dreaming big and achieving even bigger.

Family Details

MS Dhoni hails from a modest family. His father, Pan Singh, worked for MECON, a public sector enterprise, and his mother, Devaki Devi, was a homemaker. Dhoni’s elder brother, Narendra Singh Dhoni, is a politician, while his elder sister, Jayanti Gupta, is a school teacher.

Family Tree Table

Relation                     Name

Father                          Pan Singh

Mother                         Devaki Devi

Brother                        Narendra Singh Dhoni

Sister                           Jayanti Gupta

Wife                            Sakshi Singh Dhoni

Daughter                     Ziva Singh Dhoni

Education

MS Dhoni attended DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali in Ranchi, where he developed an interest in sports. Initially a football goalkeeper, Dhoni switched to cricket under the guidance of his coaches, who recognized his potential as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

Body Measurements

Dhoni’s fitness has been key to his success. Here are his basic stats:

Height:          5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)

Weight:         75 kg (165 lbs)

Eye Color:    Dark Brown

Hair Color:   Black

Family & Relationship

This MS Dhoni Biography portrait his family & relationship information. Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat on July 4, 2010. They have a daughter named Ziva Singh Dhoni, born in February 2015. Despite his demanding career, Dhoni has always prioritized his family, often seen spending quality time with them.

Cricket Profile: Playing Style

MS Dhoni is a right-handed batsman known for his unorthodox yet highly effective batting style. His helicopter shot became iconic in the cricketing world. As a wicketkeeper, he was sharp, quick, and innovative, often pulling off stumpings that left spectators in awe.

Cricket Career

Early Career

Dhoni’s cricket journey began with domestic teams like Bihar and later Jharkhand. His performance in the domestic circuit caught the eye of selectors, and he soon earned a spot in the India A team, leading to his selection for the Indian national team in 2004.

International Career

Dhoni’s international debut came in an ODI against Bangladesh on December 23, 2004. Despite a shaky start, his explosive batting and reliable wicketkeeping quickly established him as a key player in the Indian squad.

2007 World T20 and Captaincy

Dhoni’s leadership journey began with the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Under his captaincy, a young and relatively inexperienced Indian team emerged victorious, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen earned him the nickname “Captain Cool.”

2011 World Cup Win and Later

Arguably the pinnacle of Dhoni’s career was leading India to victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. His unbeaten 91 in the final against Sri Lanka, capped off with a match-winning six, is etched in the memory of every Indian cricket fan. Post the World Cup, Dhoni continued to lead India with distinction, achieving significant victories in Tests and ODIs.

Test Retirement and 2015 World Cup

Dhoni retired from Test cricket in December 2014, midway through the series against Australia. His decision was driven by a desire to focus on the shorter formats and prolong his career. In the 2015 World Cup, India reached the semi-finals under his captaincy but couldn’t defend their title.

Retirement

After stepping down as captain of the Indian limited-overs team in 2017, Dhoni continued to play as a key team member. He finally retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over 15 years.

Domestic Career

Before his international success, Dhoni made a mark in domestic cricket. He played for Bihar and Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, showcasing his potential as a future star.

Indian Premier League

Dhoni’s impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is unparalleled. As the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he led the team to multiple championships, becoming a fan favorite. His leadership and performances in the IPL further cemented his legacy in T20 cricket.

Outside Cricket

ODI Records

Statistic                      Record

Total Matches             350

Runs                            10,773

Best Runs                    183*

Batting Average          50.57

Strike Rate                  87.56

Centuries                    10

Fifties                         73

Fours                           826

Sixes                           229

Catches                       256

Stumpings                   38

Test Records

Statistic                      Record

Total Matches             90

Runs                            4,876

Best Runs                    224

Batting Average          38.09

Strike Rate                  59.11

Centuries                    6

Fifties                         33

Fours                           544

Sixes                           78

Catches                       256

Stumpings                   38

Captaincy Statistics

Format           Matches         Won    Lost    Drawn/Tied   No Result

ODI                 200                  110      74        5                      11

T20                  72                    41        28        1                      2

Test                 60                    27        18        15                    –

Records and Achievements

Test Records

Most wins as Indian Test captain (27).

First Indian wicketkeeper to score 4,000 Test runs.

Highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper (224).

ODIs

Only captain to win all three ICC limited-overs trophies (T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy).

Highest number of stumpings in ODI history.

Most matches as captain in ODIs for India.

T20s

Most T20 matches as captain.

First captain to win the T20 World Cup.

Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in T20Is.

Combined

Only captain to win all ICC trophies.

Holds the record for most international matches as captain.

Honours 

India

Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.

Chennai Super Kings

Led CSK to multiple IPL titles.

Guided CSK to Champions League T20 victories.

Individual

ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

Named in ICC World ODI XI numerous times.

Named Captain of ICC World ODI XI for several years.

Others

Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.

Numerous endorsements and sponsorships.

Movie on Him

MS Dhoni’s life was depicted in the Bollywood biopic “MS Dhoni: The Untold Story,” released in 2016. The film, starring Sushant Singh Rajput as Dhoni, was a commercial success and received widespread acclaim.

Net Worth/Earnings

MS Dhoni’s net worth is estimated to be over $100 million. His earnings come from his cricket career, endorsements, and business ventures.

Interesting Facts

Dhoni is the only captain to win all ICC trophies.

He is known for his calm demeanor, earning the nickname “Captain Cool.”

Dhoni’s helicopter shot is famous worldwide.

He is an avid biker and owns a large collection of motorcycles.

Unknown Facts

Dhoni initially played as a football goalkeeper.

He holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army.

Dhoni worked as a ticket collector at Kharagpur railway station before his cricket career took off.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes: Bikes, football, video games.

Dislikes: Public attention, media intrusion.

Controversies Surrounding MS Dhoni

Conflict of Interest Allegations (2013-2014):

• Background: In 2013, Dhoni was embroiled in a conflict of interest controversy due to his association with Rhiti Sports, a company that managed his commercial interests and also had stakes in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise.
• Details: Critics argued that Dhoni’s dual role as a player and stakeholder created a conflict, compromising the integrity of his position. This became a hot topic during the IPL spot-fixing scandal, though no direct wrongdoing was proven against Dhoni.
• Outcome: Dhoni maintained his innocence, and the BCCI cleared him of any wrongdoing, but the controversy highlighted the need for clear regulations regarding players’ commercial interests.

2013 IPL Spot-Fixing Scandal:

• Background: The IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013 saw the suspension of CSK’s Gurunath Meiyappan and RR’s Raj Kundra for their involvement in betting. As the captain of CSK, Dhoni was indirectly pulled into the controversy.
• Details: Questions were raised about Dhoni’s awareness of the activities within his team. His silence on the matter led to widespread speculation and criticism.
• Outcome: Dhoni never faced formal charges, and his reputation emerged relatively unscathed, but the incident did cast a shadow over CSK and Dhoni’s leadership.

Captaincy Criticism (2011-2012):

• Background: After leading India to a historic World Cup win in 2011, Dhoni’s leadership came under scrutiny during India’s disastrous tours of England and Australia, where the team faced consecutive whitewashes.
• Details: Critics questioned his captaincy strategies, team selections, and defensive approach. The media and former players debated whether Dhoni should step down from the captaincy to focus on his game.
• Outcome: Despite the criticism, Dhoni retained his captaincy and led India to further success in limited-overs formats. His resilience in the face of such challenges is often cited as a testament to his character.

2015 World Cup Semi-Final Decision:

• Background: During the 2015 ICC World Cup semi-final against Australia, Dhoni’s decision to play an unfit Mohammad Shami and his tactics during the match were heavily criticized after India’s defeat.
• Details: Questions were raised about team selection and Dhoni’s late arrival at the crease when the match was already slipping away from India.
• Outcome: While Dhoni’s decisions were debatable, his overall leadership record ensured that this controversy did not linger long in public memory.

IPL 2019 Umpiring Incident:

• Background: In an unprecedented move, Dhoni stormed onto the field during an IPL 2019 match to confront the umpires over a no-ball decision, a rare display of his temper.
• Details: This incident drew sharp criticism from the cricketing community, who saw it as an unacceptable breach of the spirit of the game.
• Outcome: Dhoni was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct, and while the incident was out of character, it showcased the immense pressure even the calmest individuals can face.

Comparison with Other Players

Comparison with Sachin Tendulkar:

• Leadership: Tendulkar’s tenure as captain was not as successful as Dhoni’s. While Tendulkar is revered as the greatest batsman, his captaincy records do not match up to Dhoni’s achievements.
• Public Perception: Tendulkar is often seen as the epitome of cricketing excellence with minimal controversies. In contrast, Dhoni’s leadership style, though successful, often courted criticism, especially during India’s low phases.

Comparison with Virat Kohli:

• Aggression vs. Calm: Kohli’s aggressive and confrontational style contrasts sharply with Dhoni’s calm demeanor. This difference is often highlighted when discussing their leadership approaches.
• Captaincy Record: Kohli took over the captaincy in a transitional phase and has a formidable record, especially in Test cricket. However, Dhoni’s success in ICC tournaments and his ability to lead under pressure give him an edge in many fans’ eyes.

Comparison with Sourav Ganguly:

• Revival and Aggression: Ganguly is credited with instilling a sense of aggression and self-belief in the Indian team, much like Dhoni brought a sense of calm and strategic acumen.
• Legacy: While Ganguly laid the foundation for a fearless Indian team, Dhoni’s tenure is marked by converting potential into consistent success on the global stage.

Comparison with Ricky Ponting:

• Captaincy Success: Ponting’s record as Australia’s captain is remarkable, with two World Cups to his name. Comparatively, Dhoni’s record is equally impressive with three ICC trophies, but his success in the IPL adds another dimension to his leadership credentials.
• Controversial Decisions: Both Ponting and Dhoni have faced scrutiny for their decisions on and off the field, but Ponting’s aggressive stance often drew more criticism compared to Dhoni’s measured approach.

Comparison with Kumar Sangakkara:

• Leadership Style: Sangakkara’s leadership was characterized by grace and eloquence, somewhat similar to Dhoni’s composed demeanor.
• Achievements: While Sangakkara is celebrated as one of the finest batsmen and a great leader, Dhoni’s success in leading India to multiple ICC trophies and his IPL achievements give him a unique standing.

MS Dhoni’s career is a testament to his exceptional leadership and cricketing acumen. His ability to stay calm under pressure and make bold decisions has set him apart from his contemporaries. While controversies have occasionally marred his journey, they have also highlighted his resilience and integrity. Comparing Dhoni with other cricketing legends showcases his unique blend of strategic brilliance, calm leadership, and unmatched success on the biggest stages. Dhoni’s legacy, though complex, remains an inspiration for future generations of cricketers.

Passion

Dhoni has a passion for bikes and owns an impressive collection. He also loves playing football and indulging in video games.

Favorite Songs & Movies

Dhoni enjoys Bollywood music and is a fan of classic Hindi films.

MS Dhoni Biography: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Bat Price: Dhoni’s bats are customized, often valued in thousands of dollars due to his endorsement deals.

Brother: Narendra Singh Dhoni.

Elder Brother: Narendra Singh Dhoni.

Sister: Jayanti Gupta.

Children: Ziva Singh Dhoni.

Daughter: Ziva Singh Dhoni.

Ex-Girlfriend: Priyanka Jha (deceased), who was portrayed in his biopic.

Bike Collection: Dhoni owns several high-end bikes, including a Confederate Hellcat X132 and a Kawasaki Ninja H2.

Car Collection: His collection includes Hummer H2, Ferrari 599 GTO, and a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Cricket Academy: Dhoni is involved with MS Dhoni Cricket Academy to nurture young talent.

Contribution: His calm leadership transformed Indian cricket and he mentored many young players.

Date of Birth: July 7, 1981.

Debut First Entry: ODI debut on December 23, 2004.

Double Century: Scored his first double century in Test cricket against Australia in 2013.

First Match: First international match was an ODI against Bangladesh in 2004.

First Love: Cricket and bikes.

Father Name: Pan Singh.

Government Wards: He has received multiple national awards, including the Padma Bhushan.

Government Job: Worked as a ticket collector for Indian Railways before his cricket career took off.

Greatest Achievements: Winning the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup.

Girlfriend: Married to Sakshi Singh Dhoni, previously dated Priyanka Jha (deceased).

Garage: Houses his extensive bike and car collection.

Graduation: Dhoni did not pursue higher education beyond high school.

Hobbies: Riding bikes, playing football, and video games.

House & House Address: Lives in a luxurious farmhouse in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Hometown: Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Highest Score in IPL: 84* against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019.

Instagram Followers: Over 40 million followers.

Jersey Number: 7.

Join Indian Team Date: December 23, 2004.

Longest 6s Distance: Hit a six measuring 112 meters against New Zealand.

Last Century: Scored his last ODI century against England in 2017.

Marriage Date: July 4, 2010.

Mother Name: Devaki Devi.

Mother Tongue: Hindi.

Monthly Income: Estimated monthly earnings exceed $2 million from endorsements and cricket-related activities.

Memes: Frequently featured in memes for his calmness and unique playing style.

Nickname: Mahi, Captain Cool.

Native Place: Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Occupation: Cricketer, entrepreneur.

Official Website: N/A.

Religion: Hinduism.

Retirement Age: Retired from international cricket at the age of 39.

Relationship: Married to Sakshi Singh Dhoni.

Twitter: Over 8 million followers.

Unbreakable Records: Most matches as captain in international cricket, most stumpings in ODIs, and only captain to win all ICC trophies.

Wife Name: Sakshi Singh Dhoni.

Conclusion

MS Dhoni’s life and career are a testament to his hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of cricket. From his early days in Ranchi to leading India to World Cup glory, Dhoni’s journey is truly inspiring. He remains a beloved figure in the cricketing world, and his legacy will continue to influence generations to come.