Dear MS Dhoni,
Finally, you took the decision almost suddenly that your fans have always been paranoid of. The news of your leaving the captaincy of limited over internationals has shaken the entire cricket universe. It was unexpected. You were still leading the side in an exemplary fashion at the helm of Indian cricket team.
However, we are glad that you took the decision yourself and expressed your desire to continue playing for team India at limited over matches. I am glad that you will play more freely this time simply as a batsman and wicket-keeper.
Must Read: Open Letter to Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is expected to take your legacy forward from now onwards. But MS Dhoni, you are truly a rockstar cricketer.
Major Trophies That India Clinched Under MS Dhoni
Your spectacular debut as a captain in the inaugural edition of the ICC World T-20 2007 in South Africa was absolutely brilliant. A final over victory against Pakistan in the final was so amazing. We doubted your decision to give the last over to Joginder Singh, but in the end, it turned out well as India won the first edition of the T20 World Cup.
There are many such memories – that’s why we call it lovingly, “That’s the way, Mahi way”!
Then in 2011, history was rewritten again. It was after a 28-year gap that India won the ICC World Cup 2011. Surprisingly, it was not just your meticulous captaincy that did the trick but your awe-inspiring innings of 91* off 79 balls with a winning 6 into the stands won all our hearts. It was an amazing feeling for each of us.
During ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, it was Dhoni’s inspiring captaincy that brought us the trophy. Your idea of encouraging Ravinder Jadeja, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan paid off well as India won the championship convincingly in the end. Dhawan scored 363 and Jadeja’s astonishing spins garnered 12 wickets in the tournament.
The Magnificent Miracle of MS Dhoni
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni) is the only player to have led the team in 331 matches across formats (Test, ODIs & T20s).
- Dhoni is the only cricket captain in the world to have captained a side in 50-plus matches in each format of the game.
- MS Dhoni led the side in 60-test matches (27-win, 18-loss and 15 Draws).
- MS Dhoni captained India in 199-ODIs (110-win, 74-loss, 4-ties and 11 No results).
- Mahi led the side in 72 T20Is (48-win, 28-loss, 1-tie and 2-No Results).
- Overall Dhoni’s percentage of not losing a match is more than 65% across formats.
MS Dhoni Captaincy: The End of an Era
When Indian cricket team was going through the tumultuous days of Gregg Chappel saga it was the young Mahi who came as a respite and a whiff of a fresh to the team. Rest was the history as Dhoni helped India touch newer pinnacles of success in no time in each of the cricket formats.
MS Dhoni ODI Captaincy Record Against Opponents
| OPPOSITION | Matches | WON | LOST | TIED/
No Result |
WIN% |
| Australia | 40 | 14 | 21 | 5 | 35.00 |
| Bangladesh | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.73 |
| England | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 60.71 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| The Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| New Zealand | 18 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 44.44 |
| Pakistan | 18 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 61.11 |
| South Africa | 19 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 42.11 |
| Sri Lanka | 41 | 25 | 13 | 1 | 60.98 |
| UAE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| West Indies | 15 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Zimbabwe | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
Hailing from Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, this wonder boy brought lots of laurel to the state and nation. In his entire captaincy career which spanned for around 1 decade – captaincy burden never affected Dhoni as such.
In fact, his performance has only flourished more as the skipper of the side in ODIs and T20s.
Dhoni’s ODI Record as a Player and Captain
| MATCHES | RUNS | HIGHEST SCORE | AVERAGE | STRIKE RATE | 100S | 50S | |
| As a player | 84 | 2,477 | 183* | 44.23 | 96.26 | 3 | 14 |
| As Captain | 199 | 6,633 | 139* | 53.92 | 86.29 | 6 | 47 |
Dhoni’s Batting Record in T20Is as a Player/Captain
| MATCHES | RUNS | HIGHEST SCORE | AVERAGE | STRIKE RATE | 100S | 50S | |
| As a player | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 |
| As captain | 72 | 1,112 | 48* | 37.06 | 122.60 | 0 | 0 |
India’s tournament wins under Dhoni’s Captaincy
| Trophy | YEAR |
| ICC World T20 in South Africa (T20I) | 2007 |
| Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia (ODI) | 2008 |
| Compaq Cup in Sri Lanka (ODI) | 2009 |
| Asia Cup in Sri Lanka (ODI) | 2010 |
| ICC World Cup in India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh (ODI) | 2011 |
| ICC Champions Trophy in England (ODI) | 2013 |
| Celkon Mobile Cup in the West Indies (ODI) | 2013 |
| Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh (T20I) | 2016 |
There is no doubt; someone will immediately take the baton to lead the side in the upcoming T20 and ODI series, but it will definitely take some more time for someone to fill the vacuum that you created after relinquishing captaincy of the side.
The Best Captain MS Dhoni Forever
There is only one MS Dhoni that we know. From the Wanderer to Wankhede, this wonder lad from Ranchi gave us enormous opportunities to enjoy and relish each moment of glory that team India accomplished. Thank you MS Dhoni for the happiness that you gave us! Indeed, India’s best captain ever.
Thank You,
MS Dhoni – We Love You
An Indian Cricket Fan