### MS Dhoni Biography
**Full Name:** Mahendra Singh Dhoni
**Nickname:** Mahi, Captain Cool, Thala
**Date of Birth:** July 7, 1981
**Place of Birth:** Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), India
**Nationality:** Indian
**Role:** Wicketkeeper-Batsman
**Batting Style:** Right-handed
**Bowling Style:** Right-arm medium
**International Debut:**
– **ODI:** December 23, 2004, vs Bangladesh
– **Test:** December 2, 2005, vs Sri Lanka
– **T20I:** December 1, 2006, vs South Africa
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### Early Life and Background:
MS Dhoni was born into a middle-class Rajput family in Ranchi. His father, Pan Singh, worked for MECON, while his mother, Devaki Devi, was a homemaker. Dhoni initially showed interest in sports like football and badminton, excelling in them at the school level. He was even a goalkeeper for his school football team before his coach encouraged him to try wicketkeeping in cricket. His skills as a wicketkeeper-batsman were soon noticed, and he moved through the ranks in Bihar’s cricket scene.
He first represented Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in the 1999-2000 season and later made the switch to play for Jharkhand after the state’s formation in 2000. It was his performances in domestic cricket, especially in the 2003-2004 season, that brought him into the national spotlight.
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### International Cricket Career:
#### **1. ODI Career:**
Dhoni made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in December 2004. After a slow start, he announced his arrival on the international stage with a blistering knock of 148 against Pakistan in 2005. From then on, Dhoni cemented his place as one of the most powerful hitters in world cricket, known for his finishing abilities.
#### **2. Test Career:**
Dhoni made his Test debut in December 2005 against Sri Lanka. Though his approach to Test cricket was different from limited-overs, he played some memorable innings, including a double century against Australia in Chennai in 2013. Under his leadership, India rose to become the No. 1 Test team in the world in 2009.
#### **3. T20I Career:**
Dhoni’s debut in T20 Internationals came in 2006, but his greatest T20 moment came in 2007 when he led a young Indian team to victory in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa.
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### Captaincy Record:
MS Dhoni became India’s limited-overs captain in 2007 and took over as the Test captain in 2008. His calm demeanor, strategic brilliance, and ability to handle pressure earned him the nickname “Captain Cool.” Some of his major captaincy achievements include:
– **ICC T20 World Cup (2007):** Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup.
– **ICC Cricket World Cup (2011):** Dhoni famously hit the winning six against Sri Lanka in the final, guiding India to their first World Cup win since 1983.
– **ICC Champions Trophy (2013):** He became the first captain to win all three major ICC trophies after India’s victory in the Champions Trophy.
– **Test No. 1 Ranking (2009):** Under his leadership, India reached the No. 1 Test ranking for the first time.
– **Asia Cups (2010 & 2016):** Dhoni led India to two Asia Cup wins, including one in the T20 format.
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### Playing Style and Skills:
Dhoni is known for his aggressive batting style, particularly in limited-overs cricket. As a lower-order batsman, he had the rare ability to finish games, often with calm precision under pressure. His trademark “helicopter shot” became iconic, especially in death-over chases.
As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni was unconventional but highly effective. His quick reflexes and sharp decision-making behind the stumps made him one of the best wicketkeepers in the game. His ability to affect lightning-fast stumpings was often a game-changer.
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### Indian Premier League (IPL):
MS Dhoni’s association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL has been one of the highlights of his career. Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Dhoni has captained CSK and led the team to multiple victories:
– **IPL Titles:** 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023
– **Champions League T20:** 2010, 2014
Dhoni is a cult figure in Chennai, where fans affectionately call him “Thala” (leader).
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### Retirement from International Cricket:
Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket in December 2014 to focus on limited-overs formats. On August 15, 2020, Dhoni announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket via a social media post, marking the end of an illustrious career.
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### Achievements and Awards:
– **Padma Bhushan (2018):** India’s third-highest civilian award.
– **Padma Shri (2009):** India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
– **Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2007):** India’s highest sporting honor.
– **ICC ODI Player of the Year (2008, 2009):** The first cricketer to win this award twice.
– **Captain of ICC’s Test and ODI teams multiple times.**
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### Personal Life:
MS Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat in July 2010, and they have a daughter named Ziva, born in 2015. Off the field, Dhoni is known for his love of bikes and has an impressive collection. He also owns a ranch in Ranchi and is involved in various business ventures, including sports academies and production companies.
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### Legacy:
MS Dhoni is not just a successful cricketer; his leadership, humility, and calm demeanor have made him a national icon. His contributions to Indian cricket have left an indelible mark, and his tactical mind is often seen as the key to India’s success during his tenure as captain. He remains one of the most beloved and respected cricketers in the world, admired for his sportsmanship and the way he inspired a generation of players.