MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is an Indian wicketkeeper-batter and one of the most successful captains in cricket history, leading India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born on 7 July 1981 in Ranchi, then part of Bihar (now Jharkhand), India, and was initially more interested in badminton and football, playing goalkeeper for his school team, before a coach recommended him as a wicketkeeper when his school cricket team needed one. Dhoni worked as a ticket collector for Indian Railways at Kharagpur Junction while continuing to play domestic cricket, before a breakthrough India A tour in 2003-04 caught the attention of national selectors, leading to his ODI debut against Bangladesh in December 2004. Dhoni, nicknamed "Captain Cool," became India's captain across formats and led the team to victory in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, becoming the only captain in history to win all three major ICC limited-overs tournaments. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, and has continued to captain the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, winning five IPL titles. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, and holds an honorary lieutenant colonel rank in the Indian Territorial Army, remaining one of the most beloved and successful figures in the sport's history.

Dhoni was renowned for his explosive finishing ability with the bat, often hitting crucial boundaries in the final overs to secure victories. As a wicket-keeper, he was lightning-quick with his glove work and famous for his swift stumpings, earning the nickname 'Captain Cool' for his calm presence behind the stumps.

Dhoni transformed Indian cricket by instilling a winning mentality and is considered one of the greatest captains in cricket history, particularly in limited-overs formats.

• Padma Bhushan
• Padma Shri
• World Cup winner 2011
• T20 World Cup winner 2007
• Champions Trophy winner 2013