Know your Cricketer: MS Dhoni; the Captain Cool

Personal Information
Full Name	Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Date of Birth	July 7th, 1981
Current Team(s)	Indian Cricket Team
	Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Role	Wicketkeeper Batter
Batting Style	Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style	Right Arm Medium
Debut	December 23rd, 2004
Jersey No.	7

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as MS Dhoni, is a legendary figure in the world of cricket. Born on July 7th, 1981, in Ranchi, Bihar, Dhoni has left an indelible mark on the game as a wicket-keeper batsman and a leader. With his exceptional skills and calm demeanor, he has captained the Indian National Cricket Team in limited-overs formats from 2007 to 2017 and in Test Cricket from 2008 to 2014. Currently, he is leading the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In this article, we will take a closer look at the journey of MS Dhoni, the "Captain Cool" of Indian cricket.

Early Life and Rise to Fame
Dhoni's cricketing journey began in the late 1990s when he started playing for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy. In the 1999-2000 season, Dhoni showcased his talent, scoring 283 runs in five games. He also represented the Bihar U-19 team, where he scored 176 runs in seven innings from five matches during the 1998-99 season.

IPL and Chennai Super Kings
In 2008, the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, Dhoni became the most expensive player of that season when he was signed by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a whopping USD 1.5 million. Under his captaincy, CSK emerged victorious in three IPL seasons - 2010, 2011, and 2018. Dhoni's leadership skills and ability to remain calm under pressure earned him the nickname "Captain Cool."

International Career
Dhoni made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2004-05, during a time when the Indian cricket team was struggling to find a suitable wicket-keeper batsman combination. In just his fifth ODI, Dhoni made a stunning century, scoring 148 off 123 balls in Visakhapatnam. This innings marked the beginning of the Dhoni era in Indian cricket.

Over the years, Dhoni established himself as one of the best "finishers" in limited-overs cricket. He played a crucial role in India's victory in the first-ever T20 World Cup in 2007, where he led a young Indian team to triumph in South Africa. In the final against Sri Lanka, Dhoni's unbeaten score of 91 earned him the man of the match award.

Test Cricket and World Cup Triumph
Dhoni's Test career began in December 2005 against Sri Lanka. In the longest format of the game, he showed his mettle as a leader and led India to several memorable victories. Under his captaincy, India achieved the number one ranking in Test cricket for the first time in 2009.

Dhoni's most significant achievement came in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. As the captain of the Indian team, he guided India to their second World Cup victory. In the final against Sri Lanka, Dhoni played a match-winning knock of 91 not out, showcasing his ability to handle pressure in high-stakes situations.

The Dhoni Legacy
Dhoni's impact on Indian cricket goes beyond his on-field exploits. His calm and composed demeanor became an inspiration for budding cricketers across the nation. Dhoni's leadership qualities and ability to make astute decisions under pressure made him a role model for many aspiring captains.

After an illustrious career, Dhoni played his final ODI match against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. Unfortunately, he was run out, mirroring his debut match. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no farewell for Dhoni, making his last international game a surprise for his fans.

Life Beyond Cricket
Apart from his cricketing career, Dhoni has also been involved in various business ventures and philanthropic activities. He has his own clothing line called "Seven," which reflects his jersey number in limited-overs cricket. Dhoni is actively involved in supporting underprivileged children through the "MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation."

Career Stats
Dhoni's list of accomplishments is truly remarkable. Now, let's delve into the records he has achieved in different formats of the game:

Conclusion
MS Dhoni's contribution to Indian cricket is unparalleled. From his early days in Bihar to leading the Indian cricket team to multiple victories, Dhoni has left an everlasting impact on the game. His exceptional skills, calm demeanor, and astute leadership have made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time. As the "Captain Cool" of Indian cricket, Dhoni's legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.