Former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel and Aakash Chopra on Tuesday extended warm birthday greetings to former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he turned 45. Dhoni, widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in cricket history, was lauded for his inspirational journey from a ticket collector to a trophy-winning leader who defined an era of Indian cricket.
Raina recalls journey with Dhoni
Suresh Raina, who shared the dressing room with Dhoni for many years, took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey his wishes. "Happy Birthday, @msdhoni Mahi bhai! Your legacy will never be defined by records alone, but by the countless lives you've inspired and the belief you've given to so many. Grateful to have shared this journey with you. Wishing you happiness, good health, and many more years of smiles. Stay blessed forever," Raina wrote.
Chopra and Patel join in
Aakash Chopra also posted on X, applauding Dhoni's impact on the game. "Some players win matches. Some win trophies. MS Dhoni won an era. Happy Birthday Maahi #MSDhoni," Chopra wrote. Munaf Patel, another former teammate, tweeted: "Wishing you a Healthy life ahead, Mahi Bhai. Such a Gentleman and a Legend @msdhoni."
Dhoni's remarkable career stats
Dhoni's cricketing achievements are monumental. Across 538 international appearances for India, he scored 17,266 runs and effected 829 dismissals as a wicketkeeper-batter. In 350 One Day Internationals (ODIs), he amassed 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries, with a career-best unbeaten 183. He is India's sixth-highest run-scorer in ODIs, behind Sachin Tendulkar's leading 18,426 runs. In 98 T20 Internationals, Dhoni scored 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60 and a strike rate of 126.13, with two half-centuries and a highest score of 56. In Test cricket, he played 90 matches, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, including six centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a best of 224. He ranks as India's 14th-highest Test run-scorer.
Captaincy and legacy
Dhoni's captaincy tenure is legendary. He led India to victories in the ICC World Twenty20 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, and ICC Champions Trophy 2013, making him the only captain to win all three major ICC limited-overs trophies. His calm demeanor and tactical acumen transformed India's approach to limited-overs cricket, inspiring countless young cricketers.
As Dhoni celebrates his 45th birthday, the tributes from former teammates underscore a legacy that transcends statistics, defined by inspiration and belief.
