INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the only captain in cricket history to win all three ICC trophies, celebrates his 42nd birthday today
On his 42nd birthday, Dhoni is being enthusiastically celebrated by fans nationwide
As the special day approached, captivating images emerged, showcasing colossal Dhoni cut-outs in Hyderabad and Nandigama, Andhra Pradesh
Standing at an impressive height of 52 feet, the Hyderabad cut-out portrays Dhoni donning the Indian jersey, while the towering 77-foot
Nandigama cut-out features him in the training kit of CSK (Chennai Super Kings)
Notably, a video circulated online, capturing the moment when milk was poured over the Nandigama cut-out in a symbolic gesture.Dhoni's
stature as the most accomplished Indian captain remains unparalleled, with his remarkable achievements etching an indelible mark in history
His leadership prowess propelled India to victory in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the first and only captain to triumph in the
Champions Trophy, ICC T20 World Cup (2007), and ICC ODI World Cup (2011).After taking over the team's reigns in 2007, the Dhoni-led Indian
1 Test team for the first time in 2009.The Government of India has awarded Dhoni the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2007), the Padma Shri (2009)
and the Padma Bhushan (2018) for this contribution to sport
He was also named the ICC ODI Player of the Year for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009).Dhoni stepped down as Test captain during India's
tour of Australia in 2014 after playing his 90th Test and then gave up the T20I and ODI captaincy in January 2017
He still has the most wins by an India captain in both the white-ball formats.Famously called 'Thala' by his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans,
Dhoni has led the IPL franchise ever since the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2008
CSK have won five IPL titles under his captaincy
The only time he played for a different team (Rising Pune Supergiants), was during the two years when CSK was banned by the BCCI.He has
played 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is, having scored 10,773 and 1617 runs respectively
In ODIs, he has scored 10 centuries and 73 fifties
He has made two half-centuries in T20Is.In 90 Tests, he scored 4876 runs, including six centuries and 33 fifties.As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni
has taken a total of 634 catches and has 195 stumpings to his name in international cricket.
