Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also known as MS Dhoni, is a former Indian cricketer.
He is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in Indian history and has led the Indian national team to numerous victories. Dhoni is known on the field for his calm demeanor and ability to lead his team to victory in high-pressure situations. In August 2020, he will retire from international cricket.
Cricket is a very popular sport in India. The youth and elders form bonds with the players to the point where they consider them sources of inspiration. This is also the aura that surrounds Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He has achieved extraordinary success as a player, captain, and human being.
His path to success, however, has not been easy. His life’s rejections and setbacks have served as crucial stepping stones to his success. So let’s delve into his story to find out what it takes to be someone like him.
Sections: MS Dhoni’s Success Story
- MS Dhoni’s early life
- Accidental introduction to cricket
- Dhoni got Job in Railways
- Breakthrough in MS Dhoni life
- MS Dhoni’s achievements
- Life lessons from Dhoni’s life
- Interesting Facts about MS Dhoni
M S Dhoni’s Early Life
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Bihar, on July 7, 1981. His father, Pan Singh, is a retired MECON employee, and his mother, Devaki Devi, is a housewife. He finished his education at DAV JawaharVidyaMandir in Shayamali, Ranchi.
Accidental introduction to cricket
Dhoni was always interested in sports as a child. He played badminton and football at the district level. His football coach assigned him to the school cricket team as a wicketkeeper. He performed admirably and quickly earned a permanent spot in the group. This sparked his interest in cricket. After his tenth grade, Dhoni began to devote more time to cricket. He was very passionate about cricket and wanted to make a name for himself in it.
His father was dissatisfied with his son’s growing interest in cricket. He believed that there was no future in sports. On the other hand, Dhoni was crystal clear about what he desired for himself. He faced stiff opposition from his father for prioritizing cricket over studies. But he was certain about pursuing his dreams.
So, against his father’s wishes, Dhoni pursued his ambitions. Following that, he joined the Commando Cricket Club and competed in an Under-16 championship. After that, he became serious about cricket, but life had other plans for him.
Railways
After high school, Dhoni looked for work to supplement his growing cricket career. As the SER (South Eastern Railways) cricket team was looking for a wicketkeeper, he was hired as a ticket collector at Kharagpur Railway Station. MSD’s life became a struggle from then on.
He had to run all day collecting and verifying tickets at the platforms and then sweat it out at the training nets in the late evening. Dhoni put in long hours every day to pursue his dream. He worked hard to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way. He worked half-heartedly, but his heart was all in the games. He was dependable and hardworking.
Dhoni continued to play in tournaments while managing his job. He struggled to balance his two lives but never complained. He was chosen to play in the Ranji Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy after several matches. He did well in both, earning him recognition on the cricket field.
In the Ranji Trophy, selectors saw him as a hard-hitting batsman. He worked for the railways for three years before being noticed by the India-A team’s selectors. He took the job to support his family and to fulfill his father’s wish. Despite working, he had difficulty balancing his game.
Dhoni’s efforts were rewarded when he was named to the Indian team for an ODI series against Bangladesh. However, his luck was not on his side, and he was out for a duck in his first match. For him, the rest of the series did not go as planned; it was average.
It must have been difficult for him because he had worked so hard to get to this point, only to be led back down. But this didn’t dampen his spirits. He was determined to give his all in the upcoming matches and put in a lot more effort. His determination did not fail him.
Breakthrough
His next match was his chance. The following time, luck was on his side, as he was selected for the Pakistan series. He scored a massive 148 off 123 in the second match of the series to finally establish himself as a known face of the team. There was no turning back after that. There would be plenty more.
This was just the beginning, and he went on to make the most of his hard work and talent. His enormous talent was recognized, and he led India to the ICC World Twenty 20 Trophy in South Africa. Team India won the trophy after defeating the Pakistani team. He realized his talent and established himself.
Dhoni is the only captain to have won the ICC Trophy, the One-Day International World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. His leadership is widely admired throughout the country. Fans consider Dhoni to be one of the best captains the team has ever had. Despite his enormous popularity, people remembered him as a calm, cool, and composed individual. It must be because he has witnessed life becoming difficult and that aggression does not result in rational decisions.
MS Dhoni’s Achievements
Dhoni was also awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2009. Dhoni’s name was inscribed on the list of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2011 as a result of his consistent efforts and hard work. On April 2, 2018, he was also given the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian award.
After winning the Cricket World Cup in 2011, film director Neeraj Pandey decided to make a biopic about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s life and achievements. The film, titled MS Dhoni: Untold Story – MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, was a box office success and captured the hearts of many fans.
MS Dhoni is a car and motorcycle enthusiast in addition to being a great cricketer.
MS Dhoni is also the Captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, which he has won four times. He was rumored to play his final IPL game in 2021, but he dismissed the rumors. In 2022, he stepped down as captain of CSK and handed it over to Jadeja. In 2023, he is also expected to play T20 cricket.
Life lessons from Dhoni’s life
- If there is one thing we should take away from his story, it is that even when life does not go as planned, we should never give up.
- The constant effort will eventually lead us to our objectives.
- Failures and successes are to be treated in the same manner.
- It is critical to be able to get back up after every fall.
- Never lose faith in yourself. Go ahead and pursue your goals.
Interesting Facts about MS Dhoni
- Dhoni grew up in Almora, Uttarakhand, and was born in Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand). Before becoming a professional cricketer, he worked as a ticket collector for the Indian Railways.
- Dhoni debuted for the Indian cricket team in December 2004, and he was named captain in 2007. India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 Asia Cup, and the 2011 Cricket World Cup under his leadership.
- Dhoni is well-known for his philanthropy and charitable work, in addition to his cricketing accomplishments. Through his charitable foundation, the MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation, he has supported a variety of causes, including education and healthcare.
- Dhoni is a big fan of motorcycles and owns several high-end models.
- Dhoni was named the 16th highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes magazine in 2012, and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011.
- Dhoni is known for his helicopter shot, in which he hits the ball high over the infield while using his wrist to impart a lot of spins.
- Dhoni is the only captain in cricket history to have won all three ICC trophies (the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 Asia Cup, and the 2011 Cricket World Cup).