Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni ( pronunciation , commonly as the of ICC World Test XI and ICC World known as M. S. Dhoni; born 7 July 1981) is an In- ODI XI teams for 2009. The Indian Territorial Army dian cricketer and the current captain of the Indian na- conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel[10] to tional team in limited-overs formats. An at- Dhoni on 1 November 2011. He is the second Indian tacking right-handed middle-order batsman and - cricketer after to have received this honour. keeper, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest fin- In 2011, Time magazine included Dhoni in its annual ishers in limited-overs cricket.[1][2][3][4] He made his One Time 100 list as one of the “Most Influential People in Day International (ODI) debut in December 2004 against the World.”[11] In 2012, SportsPro rated Dhoni as the six- , and played his first Test a year later against teenth most marketable athlete in the world.[12] In June . 2015, Forbes ranked Dhoni at 23rd in the list of high- est paid athletes in the world, estimating his earnings at Dhoni holds numerous captaincy records such as most [13] wins by an Indian captain in Tests and ODIs, and most US$31 million. back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs. He took the ODI captaincy from in 2007 and led the team to its first-ever bilateral ODI series wins in 1 Early life and background Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Under his captaincy, In- dia won the 2007 ICC World , the CB Series [14] of 2007–08, the 2010 , the 2011 ICC Cricket Dhoni was born in , Bihar (now in ), [15] World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. In and he identifies as being a Rajput. His paternal village the final of the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni scored 91 not Lvali is in the Lamgarha block of the Almora District of out off 79 balls to take to victory for which he was Uttarakhand. Dhoni’s parents, moved from Uttarakhand awarded the Man of the Match. In June 2013, when In- to Ranchi where Pan Singh worked in junior management dia defeated England in the final of the Champions Tro- positions in MECON. Dhoni has a sister Jayanti Gupta [16][17] phy in England, Dhoni became the first captain to win and a brother Narendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni is a fan all three ICC limited-overs trophies (World Cup, Cham- of , and his childhood idols were cricket pions Trophy and the World Twenty20). After taking teammate , Bollywood actor Amitabh [18][19] up the Test captaincy in 2008, he led the team to series Bachchan and singer Lata Mangeshkar wins in New Zealand and West Indies, and the Border- Dhoni studied at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shya- Gavaskar Trophy in 2008, 2010 and 2013. In 2009, mali, Ranchi, Jharkhand where he initially excelled in Dhoni also led the Indian team to number one position badminton and football and was selected at district and for the first time in the ICC Test rankings. In 2013, un- club level in these sports. Dhoni was a goalkeeper for der his captaincy, India became the first team in more his football team and was sent to play cricket for a lo- than 40 years to whitewash Australia in a Test series. In cal cricket club by his football coach. Though he had not the , he captained the Su- played cricket, Dhoni impressed with his wicket-keeping per Kings to victory at the 2010 and 2011 seasons, along skills and became the regular wicketkeeper at the Com- with wins in the 2010 and 2014 editions of Champions mando cricket club (1995–1998). Based on his perfor- League Twenty20. He announced his retirement from mance at club cricket, he was picked for the 1997/98 Tests in December 2014.[5] season Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-16 Championship [17] Dhoni holds the post of Vice-President of India Cements and he performed well. Dhoni focused on cricket after [20] Ltd., after resigning from Air India. India Cements is the his 10th standard. Dhoni was a Train Ticket Examiner owner of the IPL team , and Dhoni (TTE) at Kharagpur railway station from 2001 to 2003, has been its captain since the first IPL season.[6][7] Dhoni under South Eastern Railway in Midnapore (W), a dis- is the co-owner of team Chennaiyin trict in . His colleagues remember him as a FC.[8] very honest, straightforward employee of the Indian Rail- ways. But he also had a mischievous side to his person- Dhoni has been the recipient of many awards, including ality. Once, while staying at the railway quarters, Dhoni the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 and a couple of his friends covered themselves in white (the first player to win the award twice), the Rajiv Gandhi bedsheets and walked around in the complex late in the Khel Ratna award in 2007 and the Padma Shri, India’s night. The night guards were fooled into believing that [9] fourth highest civilian honour, in 2009. He was named there were ghosts moving around in the complex. The

1 2 4 EARLY CAREER

story made big news on the next day.[21][22][23] as a captain. He is a powerful hitter of the ball and one of the fastest man in running between the . His wicket-keeping skills is widely praised by cricket- 2 Personal life experts. He is quick when comes to stumping. He is main wicket-keeper in the team but he occasionally bowls.

4 Early career

4.1 Junior cricket in Bihar

In 1998 Dhoni was selected by Deval Sahay to play for the Central Coal Fields Limited (CCL) team.[28] Dhoni was included in the Bihar U-19 squad for the 1998–99 season and scored 176 runs in 5 matches (7 ) as the team finished fourth in the group of six and did not make it to the quarter-finals. Dhoni was not picked for the East Zone U-19 squad (CK Nayudu Trophy) or Rest of India squad (MA Chidambaram Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy). Bihar U-19 cricket team advanced to the finals of the 1999–2000 where Dhoni made 84 to help Bihar post a total of 357. Bi- har’s efforts were dwarfed by Punjab U-19s’ 839 with Dhoni’s future national squad teammate making 358.[29] Dhoni’s contribution in the tournament included 488 runs (9 matches, 12 innings), 5 fifties, 17 catches and 7 stumpings.[30] Dhoni made it to the East Zone U-19 squad for the CK Nayudu trophy but scored only 97 runs in four matches as East Zone lost all four matches and finished last in the tournament.

4.2 Bihar cricket team Sakshi Singh Rawat, Dhoni’s wife Dhoni made his debut for Bihar in the Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat,his schoolmate in 1999–2000 season as an eighteen-year-old. He made a [24] DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali. a native of half in his debut match scoring 68* in the sec- Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 4 July 2010. At the time of ond innings against Assam cricket team.[31] Dhoni fin- their marriage, she was studying hotel management and ished the season with 283 runs in 5 matches. Dhoni was working as a trainee at the Taj Bengal, . Af- scored his maiden first-class century while playing for ter the retirement of Sakshi’s father from his tea grow- Bihar against Bengal in the 2000/01 season in a losing ing business, their family shifted to their native place, cause.[32] Apart from this century, his performance in the Dehradun. 2000/01 season[33] did not include another score over fifty The wedding took place one day after the couple got and in the 2001/02 season he scored just five fifties in four engaged.[25][26] According to Bollywood actress Bipasha Ranji matches.[34] Basu, a close friend of Dhoni, the wedding was planned for months and was not a spur of the moment decision.[27] Dhoni became father on 6 February 2015 to a baby girl 4.3 Jharkhand cricket team named Ziva. Dhoni’s performance in the 2002–03 season included three half-centuries in the Ranji Trophy and a couple of half-centuries in the as he started gain- 3 Playing style ing recognition for his lower-order contribution as well as hard-hitting style. In the 2003/04 season, Dhoni Dhoni is a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Ini- scored a century (128*) against Assam in the first match tially, Dhoni appeared as a lower-order attacking batsman of the Ranji ODI tournament. He was part of the East but he gradually changed his style of playing with occur- Zone squad that won the Deodhar Trophy that year and rence of pressure situation and his growing responsibility contributed with 244 runs in 4 matches. In the Duleep 3

Trophy finals, Dhoni was picked over international crick- making a mark in the India A squad, he was picked in eter Deep Dasgupta to represent East Zone.[35] He scored the ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour in 2004/05.[45] a fighting half-century in the second innings in a losing Dhoni did not have a great start to his ODI career, get- cause.[36] ting out for a on debut.[46] In spite of an average series against Bangladesh, Dhoni was picked for the Pak- Dhoni’s talent was discovered via the BCCI's small-town [47] talent-spotting initiative TRDW. Dhoni was discovered istan ODI series. In the second match of the series, by TRDO PC Podar, captain of Bengal in the 1960s, Dhoni, in his fifth one-day international, scored 148 in when he saw Dhoni play for Jharkhand at a match in Vishakapatnam off only 123 deliveries. Dhoni’s 148 sur- passed the earlier record for the highest score by an Indian Jamshedpur in 2003, and sent a report to the National [48] Cricket Academy.[37] wicket-keeper, a record that he would re-write before the end of the year. Dhoni had few batting opportunities in the first two 4.4 India A team games of the Sri Lankan bilateral ODI series (October– November 2005) and was promoted to No. 3 in the third He was recognised for his efforts in the 2003/04 season, ODI at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur). Sri Lanka had especially in the ODI format and was picked for the India set India a target of 299 after a cen- A squad for a tour of and .[38] Against tury and, in reply, India lost Tendulkar early. Dhoni was the Zimbabwe XI in Sports Club, Dhoni had his promoted to accelerate the scoring and ended the game best wicket-keeping effort with 7 catches and 4 stump- with an unbeaten 183 off 145 balls, winning the game for ings in the match.[39] In the tri-nation tournament involv- India.[49] The innings was described in Wisden Almanack ing Kenya, India A and A, Dhoni helped In- (2006) as 'Uninhibited, yet anything but crude'.[50] The dia A chase down their target of 223 against Pakistan innings set various records including the highest individ- A with a half-century.[40] Continuing his good perfor- ual score in ODI cricket in the second innings,[51] a record mance, he scored back to back centuries – 120[41] and that still stands. Dhoni ended the series with the highest 119*[42] – against the same team. Dhoni scored 362 runs run aggregate (346)[52] and was awarded the Man of the in 6 innings at an average of 72.40 and his performance in Series award for his efforts. In December 2005, Dhoni the series received attention from the then Indian captain was rewarded a B-grade contract by the BCCI.[53] – [43] and amongst others. India scored 328 in 50 overs with Dhoni contributing 68 However, the India A team coach recom- in their first match of 2006 against Pakistan. However, mended for a place in the Indian squad as the team finished poorly scoring just 43 runs in the last wicket-keeper/batsman.[44] eight overs and lost the match due to Duckworth-Lewis method.[54] In the third match of the series, Dhoni came in with India in a precarious situation and scored 72 runs 5 ODI career off just 46 balls that included 13 boundaries to help India take a 2–1 lead in the series.[55][56] The final match of the series had a repeat performance as Dhoni scored 77 runs off 56 balls to enable India win the series 4–1.[57] Due to his consistent ODI performances, Dhoni overtook as number one in the ICC ODI Rankings for bats- men on 20 April 2006.[58] His reign lasted just a week as Adam Gilchrist's performance against Bangladesh moved him to the top spot.[59] Two cancelled series in Sri Lanka, one due to the with- drawal of from the Unitech Cup due to se- curity concerns[60] and the replacement three-match ODI bilateral series against Sri Lanka washed due to rain,[61] was India’s prelude to another disappointing tournament – DLF Cup 2006-07. Dhoni scored 43 runs as the team ODI Career of Dhoni. Brown line indicates 10 match average lost twice in three games and did not qualify for the fi- while the orange line indicates career average progression. nals. India’s lack of preparation showed in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy as they lost to West Indies and The Indian ODI team in the early 2000s saw Rahul Dravid Australia, though Dhoni scored a half-century against as the wicket-keeper to ensure that the wicket-keeper spot West Indies. The story of the ODI series in South Africa didn't lack in batting talent.[43] The team also saw the en- was the same for both Dhoni and India as Dhoni scored try of wicket-keeper/batsmen from the junior ranks with 139 runs in 4 matches and India lost the series 4–0. From talents like and Dinesh Karthik (both India the start of the West Indies ODI series, Dhoni had played U-19 captains) named in the Test squads.[43] With Dhoni 16 matches, hit just two fifties and averaged 25.93. Dhoni 4 5 ODI CAREER

Dhoni put his disappointing performances in the World Cup behind him by scoring 91* against Bangladesh af- ter India were left in a tight spot earlier in the run-chase. Dhoni was declared the Man of the Match for his per- formance, his fourth in ODI cricket. He was also later adjudged the Man of the Series after the third game of the series was washed away. Dhoni had a good Afro- Asia Cup, scoring 174 runs in 3 matches at an average of 87.00, with a blitzkrieg 139 of 97 balls, a Man of the Match innings, in the third ODI. Dhoni was named vice-captain of the ODI team for the series against South Africa in Ireland and the subsequent India-England seven-match ODI series.[65] Dhoni, who received a 'B' grade contract in December 2005, was awarded an 'A' grade contract in June 2007. And also he was elected as captain of the Indian squad for the World Twenty20 in September 2007. On 2 September 2007, Dhoni equaled his idol Adam Gilchrist’s interna- tional record for the most dismissals in an innings in ODI by catching five English players and stumping one.[66] He led India to the ICC World Twenty 20 trophy in South Africa with a victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in an in- tensely fought final on 24 September 2007, and became the second Indian captain to have won a World Cup in any form of cricket, after Kapil Dev. During the series between India and Australia, Dhoni hit an aggressive 124 runs in just 107 balls, in the second ODI, and a measured knock of 71 runs in 95 balls, along with Yuvraj Singh, saw India home by 6 wickets, in the third ODI. Dhoni took his first wicket in international cricket on 30 Septem- ber 2009. He bowled Travis Dowlin of the West Indies during a match of the 2009 Champions Trophy.

Dhoni in the nets. He rarely bowls at international level.

received criticism on his wicket-keeping technique from Dhoni batting against South Africa during the group stage match former wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani.[62] of 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Preparations for the 2007 improved Dhoni topped the ICC ODI Batsman rankings for several as India recorded identical 3–1 victories over West In- months in 2009. from Australia replaced dies and Sri Lanka and Dhoni had averages in excess of him at the top spot at the beginning of 2010.[67] 100 in both these series. However, India unexpectedly crashed out the World Cup after losses to Bangladesh and Dhoni had an excellent year in ODIs in 2009 scoring 1198 Sri Lanka in the group stage. Dhoni was out for a duck runs in just 24 innings at an astonishing average of 70.43. in both these matches and scored just 29 runs in the tour- Dhoni was also the joint top-scorer in ODIs in 2009 along nament. After the loss to Bangladesh in 2007 Cricket with Ricky Ponting, but the latter having played in 30 in- World Cup, the house that Dhoni was constructing in his nings. home-town Ranchi was vandalised and damaged by po- On 12 February 2012, Dhoni made an unbeaten 44 to litical activists of JMM.[63] The local police arranged for guide India to their first win over Australia at Adelaide. security for his family as India exited the World Cup in In the final over, he hit a monstrous six which traveled 112 the first round.[64] metres off the bowling of Clint McKay. During the post- 5 match presentation, he described this six as more impor- tant than the one he hit during the ICC World Cup final in 2011.[68] On 2 November 2013, Dhoni became the second India batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to aggregate 1,000 or more ODI-runs against Australia.[69] Despite of Dhoni’s impressive captaincy in ODIs, India lost to emerging Bangladesh by 2-1 during Indian tour to Bangladesh. This gave Indians, their first series lost against Bangladesh.

6 Test career

Mahendra Singh Dhoni — Batting performance in Tests

Individual innings Career batting Individual innings (not out) average 200 Dhoni at fielding practice

175

150 125 (14).[74] Dhoni failed to collect the de- 100 livery cleanly as Flintoff went on to make 36 more runs 75

50 as England set a target of 313 for the home team, a target

25 that India were never in the reckoning. A batting collapse

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 saw the team being dismissed for 100 and Dhoni scored Last updated: 2013-01-02T10:58:24+00:00 just 5 runs and faced criticism for his wicket-keeping Test Career of Dhoni. Each bar indicates a single innings and the lapses as well as his shot selections. red line indicates the progression in his career batting average. On the West Indies tour in 2006, Dhoni scored a quick An alternative image showing a 10 innings moving average is and aggressive 69 in the first Test at Antigua. The rest of available. the series was unremarkable for Dhoni as he scored 99 runs in the remaining 6 innings but his wicket-keeping Following his good one-day performance against Sri skills improved and he finished the series with 13 catches Lanka, Dhoni replaced Dinesh Karthik in December [70] and 4 stumpings. In the Test series in South Africa later 2005 as the Indian Test wicket-keeper. Dhoni scored that year, Dhoni’s scores of 34 and 47 were not sufficient 30 runs in his debut match that was marred by rain. Dhoni to save the second Test against the Proteas as India lost came to the crease when the team was struggling at 109/5 the series 2–1, squandering the chance to build on their and as wickets kept falling around him, he played an ag- first ever Test victory in South Africa (achieved in the first gressive innings and was the last man dismissed.[71] Dhoni Test match). Dhoni’s bruised hands ruled him out of the made his maiden half-century in the second Test and his third Test match.[75] quick scoring rate (half century came off 51 balls) aided India to set a target of 436 and the Sri Lankans were On the fourth day of the first Test match at Antigua bowled out for 247.[72] Recreation Ground, St John’s, Antigua during India’s tour of West Indies, 2006, Dhoni’s flick off Dave Mohammed India toured Pakistan in January–February 2006 and to the midwicket region was caught by . As Dhoni scored his maiden century in the second Test at the batsman started to walk back, captain Dravid declared . India were left in a tight spot as Dhoni was the innings when confusion started as the umpires were joined by with the team still 107 away from not certain if the fielder stepped on the ropes and Dhoni avoiding a follow-on. Dhoni played his typical aggressive stayed for the ’s verdict. While the replays were innings as he brought up his maiden Test hundred in just [73] inconclusive, the captain of the West Indies side, Brian 93 balls after scoring the first fifty in just 34 deliveries. Lara, wanted Dhoni to walk off based on the fielder’s as- Dhoni followed the century up with some prosaic batting sertion of the catch. The impasse continued for more performances over the next three matches, one against than 15 minutes and Lara’s temper was on display with Pakistan that India lost and two against England that had finger wagging against the umpires and snatching the ball India holding a 1–0 lead. Dhoni was the top scorer in In- from umpire . Ultimately, Dhoni walked off dia’s first innings in the third Test at and Dravid’s declaration was effected but the game was as his 64 aided India post a respectable 279 in reply to delayed, and Lara’s action was criticised by the commen- England’s 400. However Dhoni and the Indian fielders tators and former players. Lara was summoned by the dropped catches and missed many chances in- match referee to give an explanation of his actions but he cluding a key stumping opportunity of Andrew Flintoff was not fined.[76] 6 8 WORLD CUP

Dhoni scored two centuries in Sri Lanka’s tour of India he managed to lead India in a series-leveling world cham- in 2009, a series of three matches in which he led India pionship of Tests against the South Africans in February to a 2–0 victory. With this feat, India soared up to the 2010. India also managed to draw the Test series 1–1 in number one position in for the first time in South Africa later that year. history. India scored 726–9 (decl) in the third match of [77] After winning the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final this series, which is their highest Test total ever. against Sri Lanka on 2 April 2011 with his match win- He played his last series in the 2014–15 season in India’s ning knock of unbeaten 91, Tendulkar heaped praises on tour of Australia captaining India in the second and third Dhoni, claiming him to be the best captain he has played tests; losing the second and drawing the third, trailing the under. Tendulkar mentioned that it was Dhoni’s calm in- series 2–0 before the Sydney Test. Following the third fluence that was rubbing off on all his team-mates and Test in , Dhoni announced his retirement from described Dhoni’s handling of pressure was incredible. [78] the format. In his last Test, he effected 9 dismissals (8 Only nine players have captained ten or more Tests play- catches and 1 stumping), and in the process, went past ing as a wicket-keeper. Dhoni leads the table with 33 Kumar Sangakkara in the record for stumpings with 134 [79] Tests as captain, 15 ahead of Gerry Alexander in second (in all three formats combined) and also broke the place.[86] record for effecting the most dismissals in a match by an Indian wicketkeeper.[80] He finished his last innings un- In March 2013, Dhoni became the most successful Indian beaten making 24 runs. Test captain when he eclipsed Sourav Ganguly’s record of 21 victories from 49 Tests.[87] Ganguly also said in an in- terview to a news channel that Dhoni is the all-time great- 7 Captain of India est captain of India and he has a great record to support this credential.

7.1 Match bans

Dhoni, being captain of the Indian cricket team, has sel- dom faced any restrictions not to play in matches, due to slow-over rate. In December 2009, he was suspended for two ODI matches against Sri Lanka when ICC match ref- eree Jeff Crowe imposed the ban as India was three overs short of the specified overs. Hence was named the skipper for the two matches in and Kolkata.[88] Further, in January 2012 he was banned for the fourth Test match against Australia in Adelaide. Dhoni’s team was two overs short during the third Test in Perth.[89] Consequently, Sehwag captained the team in the Adelaide test and kept the wickets. Dhoni behind the stumps In the CB Series in February, Dhoni again faced a one match ban for slow-over rate against Australia. Dhoni was named the captain of Indian squad for the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 held in South Africa in September 2007.[81] India were crowned champions 8 World Cup as Dhoni led the team to victory against Pakistan in a thrilling contest.[82] He, then, went on to become the ODI Dhoni has had just two ODI World Cup while five T20 captain of the Indian team for the seven-match ODI se- World Cups under his belt as a captain. India won the lone ries against Australia in September 2007.[83] He made his ODI world cup when he was the captain, while winning debut as full-time Test captain of India during the fourth one of the five T20 World Cups. and final Test against Australia at in November 2008 replacing who was injured in the third test and who then announced his retirement. Dhoni was 8.1 vice-captain in this series up to that point.[84] India even- tually won that Test thus clinching the series 2–0 and re- [85] Dhoni played his first ODI World Cup in 2007 at the tained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Dhoni had pre- Caribbean. India made an early exit from the tournament viously captained India on a stand-in basis against South in the Group Stage. In 2007 Cricket World Cup, India Africa and Australia in 2008 and 2009 respectively. was placed in Group B with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and It was under his captaincy that India climbed to No. 1 Bermuda.Rahul Dravid captained the team in this World in the ICC Test Rankings in December 2009. After that Cup. In three matches India played, they managed to 7

win only one against Bermuda while losing the rest from consecutive matches in this world cup and won 11 all con- Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In their first match against secutive in world cups. With the win against Bangladesh, Bangladesh, India was all out in just 191 in 49.3 overs. he became the first non-Australian captain to won 100 Dhoni was out for 0.He , Shakib Al ODI matches, and first Indian captain to achieve the Hasan and captain Habibul Bashar in the match but, India mark. He is also the third captain to won 100 matches, af- lost by 5 wickets. In the next match against Bermuda, In- ter two Australians, Ricky Ponting, and .[92] dia posted the then Highest Score in the World Cup 413/5 in a must-win match. Dhoni scored 29 off 25 Balls which includes Two 4s and One 6. India won the match by 257 9 Indian Premier League runs. India was required to win their last group match against the Lankans but they lost by 69 runs. Chasing the target of 255, India crumbled to 185 all out in 43.3 Dhoni was contracted by the Chennai Super Kings for 1.5 overs. Dhoni was out for 0 for the second time on the Million USD. This made him the most expensive player [93] tournament in his very first ball by . in the IPL for the first season auctions. Dhoni is the Thus, India was out of the world cup in very first round. present captain of the Chennai Super Kings Team. Under The Team was heavily criticized for their performance. his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings have won two Indian Dhoni’s under construction house in Ranchi was attacked Premier League titles and the 2010 Champions League by some 200 fans after the Bangladesh loss. Twenty20.

8.2 9.1 Season by season at IPL

Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India won the 2011 World 10 International centuries Cup. In the final against Sri Lanka, chasing 275, Dhoni promoted himself up the , coming before Yuvraj Singh. When he came to bat India needed more 10.1 Test centuries than six runs per over with three top order batsmen al- ready dismissed. He started building a good partnership 10.2 centuries with . Due to good strokeplay and ac- tive running between wickets, they kept up with the re- 10.2.1 One Day International centuries for India quired run rate. Dhoni was on 60 off 60 balls, but later accelerated with a greater flow of boundaries, ending with 10.2.2 One Day International centuries for ACC 91 not out off 79 balls. Befitting the occasion, he finished Asia XI the match of in style with a huge six over long-on off bowler and won Man of the Match. 11 Statistics and records Later in the post match presentation, he admitted that he came up the order so as to counter the Muralitharan spin threat as he was very familiar with Murali’s bowling, who 11.1 Test records was his team-mate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings. He had come after the • Dhoni’s maiden century against Pakistan in dismissal of , also a right-handed batsman. By Faisalabad (148) is the fastest century scored by an partnering the left-handed Gambhir, he ensured a right- Indian wicket keeper. Only three centuries by two left combination at the crease that makes it difficult for other wicket-keepers (Kamran Akmal and Adam bowlers to settle into a rhythm. Gilchrist – 2) were faster than Dhoni’s 93 ball century.[99] The bat used by Dhoni in the final match was sold for ₹ 72 Lac. The money goes to Sakshi Rawat Foundation, • Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India defeated Australia operated by Dhoni’s wife Sakshi Rawat to help orphan [90] by 320 runs on 21 October 2008, biggest ever win children. in terms of runs for India.[100]

• Dhoni holds the record for most catches by an Indian 8.3 2015 Cricket World Cup player in an innings. He achieved this feat by taking six catches during the first innings of the third test For the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New against New Zealand in Wellington in April 2009. Zealand, Dhoni was named the captain of the 30-member squad by the BCCI in December 2014.[91] Under his cap- • Dhoni also equalled Syed Kirmani's record for most taincy, India was able to go through to semi-finals with dismissals in an innings by an Indian wicket-keeper. ease, beating Bangladesh in the quarter finals. However, Syed Kirmani has effected 6 dismissals (5 catches they lost to Australia in the semi-finals. The team won 7 and 1 stumping) against New Zealand in 1976. 8 11 STATISTICS AND RECORDS

Dhoni now has equalled that record for most dis- record of 192 held by against Eng- missals with 6 dismissals (all 6 catches) against New land in 1964, also scored in Chennai. Zealand in 2009. • Dhoni has registered the highest score in Test history • Dhoni currently ranks No. 1 in the all-time dis- by a wicketkeeper-captain beating Englishman Alec missals list by Indian wicket-keepers. Dhoni has Stewart’s 164 Vs South Africa in 1998 now been involved in 248 dismissals. The follow- • Dhoni is the first Indian wicket keeper to complete ing is the list of top five Indian wicket-keepers, in 4,000 Test runs.[103] terms of all-time dismissals in test matches: Dhoni (248 dismissals), Syed Kirmani (198 dismissals), • Dhoni is the most successful Indian Test captain (130 dismissals), Nayan Mongia (107 with 24 Test victories, eclipsing Sourav Ganguly’s dismissals) and (82 dismissals). record of 21 victories from 49 Tests.[87] • Dhoni is the second wicketkeeper to have effected • Dhoni has the dubious distinction of an Indian cap- 6 dismissals in an innings apart from a fifty in each tain with most Test defeats overseas with 11 Test innings of a Test match. had accom- losses.[104][105][106][107] plished the feat for South Africa against Australia at in December 1966 — 69 & 182 and • After hitting a six in third test match between 6 catches + 2 catches. England and India in Southampton, Dhoni has com- pleted 50 sixes as a captain and made a record. • Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India reached their highest test score of 726–9 (decl) during Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2009. Their 2–0 victory in the series took 11.2 ODI records them to the number 1 ranking in Test cricket for the first time in history. See also: List of highest individual scores in ODIs • Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India did not lose a test match until the first test versus South Africa in Nag- • On 31 October 2005 Dhoni scored 183* runs of just pur in February 2010. As a captain, he holds a 145 balls against Sri Lanka in Sawai Mansingh Sta- record for longest unbeaten run in tests from his dium, Jaipur, which is the highest score made by any debut, 11 tests (8 wins and 3 draws). This record batsman in the second innings which was latter bet- crossed former Australian captain Warwick Arm- tered by Australian player who scored strong's run of 10 unbeaten tests (8 wins, 2 draws) 185* of 96 balls against Bangladesh at on 11 from debut. In Dhoni’s streak, however, there was a April 2011.[51] period of injury in which Virender Sehwag led the side (for 3 draws). So India’s unbeaten streak was • The innings featured 10 Sixes – the most by for 14 tests, of which 11 were Dhoni’s. an Indian in an innings, and the fifth highest in ODIs.[108] • However Dhoni’s unbeaten streak of 11 Test • He broke Adam Gilchrist's record of 172 for matches ended during India’s tour of England in the highest score made by a wicket keeper. 2011 and England also replaced India from No. 1 spot in ICC Test team rankings. • The innings set the record for the most num- ber of runs scored in boundaries (120 – 15×4; • Dhoni shares with Nayan Mongia the record of most 10×6) breaking the record held by Saeed dismissals (8) by an Indian wicket-keeper in a Test Anwar. However this was later broken by match (as of February 2013).[101] (126 runs in boundaries – 21×4; 7×6) against Australia during his knock • Dhoni holds the record of most dismissals (8 – 7 of 175. catches and 1 stumping) by an Indian wicket-keeper • in a Test match which includes at least one stumping The score of 183* equalled Ganguly’s innings (as of Feb 2013). during the 1999 Cricket World Cup as the highest individual score against Sri Lanka, un- • Dhoni holds the world record for most stumpings til scored 264 runs in 2014. (12) in test wins as a captain (as of February • 2013)[102] Dhoni has the fourth highest batting average(52.24) in One Day International cricket, in the list of crick- • Dhoni’s 224 is the highest score by an Indian captain eters with more than 5,000 runs.[109] in Tests bettering Sachin Tendulkar’s 217 against • New Zealand at in 1999. Among Indian batsmen who have played more than 50 matches, Dhoni has the highest average.[110] • Dhoni has registered the highest Test score by an In- Dhoni’s batting average is also the highest among dian wicketkeeper. On 193, he beat a long-standing wicketkeepers in ODIs. 11.3 Performance in International Arena 9

• In June 2007, Dhoni(139*) and Mahela Jayawar- 11.3 Performance in International Arena dene(107)[111] set a new world record for the sixth wicket partnership of 218 runs against Africa XI during the Afro-Asia Cup.[112] 12 International Awards

• Dhoni passed 's record for the 12.1 Test Man of the Match Awards highest individual score by a number seven batsman in one-day internationals during his unbeaten innings of 139.[113] Incidentally, Pol- lock record stood for just three days as his score of 130 came in the first match of the 12.2 ODI Man of the Series Awards 2007 Afro-Asia Cup while Dhoni’s century came in the third and final match of the series. 12.3 ODI Man of the Match Awards • Dhoni also holds the records of the most dis- missals in an innings by an Indian wicket- 13 Captaincy record keeper and joint International (with Adam Gilchrist) with 6 dismissals (5 catches and Note – In the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, India played a one stumping) against England at Headlingly Super 8 Match against West Indies. This match comes un- 2 September 2007. der the List of Matches played in Away Venues as the 2010 • Dhoni holds the Indian record of most dis- ICC World Twenty20 was being hosted in West Indies missals in ODIs. He went past Nayan Mon- gia's 154 for India on 14 November 2008 when he caught off at 14 Honorary awards and apprecia- Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground, . However including 3 ODIs against Africa XI, tions his 155th dismissal was TM Dilshan caught off at R. Premadasa Stadium, • ICC ODI Player of the Year : 2008, 2009 on 24 August 2008. • ICC World ODI XI: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, • Dhoni, when he was on four during his innings 2013, 2014 of 23 against Sri Lanka at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday, completed 4,000 runs in • ICC World Test XI: 2009, 2010, 2013 ODIs. Having already effected 165 dismissals (125 • catches + 40 stumpings), Dhoni became the sixth LG People’s Choice Award : 2013 wicketkeeper after Adam Gilchrist, , • Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest honour Alec Stewart, and Kumar San- given for achievement in sports, 2007–08. gakkara to complete the “double” of 4,000 runs and 100 dismissals in the history of ODIs. Dhoni’s feat • Honorary doctorate degree by De Montfort Univer- of completing the “double” of 4,000 runs and 100 sity in August 2011.[132] dismissals in only 114 innings is a world record. He is the youngest wicket-keeper batsman to do so (27 years and 208 days). 15 Outside cricket • Dhoni is the only captain in the ODIs to score a cen- tury while batting at number 7. He did it against 15.1 Co-owner of Pakistan in December 2012. Along with , Dhoni is also a co- • On 31 January 2014,MS Dhoni became the fourth owner of Ranchi based Hockey club Ranchi Rays, a fran- fastest batsman to complete 8,000 runs in one-day chise of the League.[133] cricket during the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand.[114][115][116] 15.2 Co-owner of Chennaiyin FC • The first non-Australian captain to won 100 ODI matches, and first Indian captain to achieve the Along with Abhishek Bachchan and Vita Dani, Dhoni mark. He is also the third captain to won 100 is also a co-owner of Chennai based Football club matches, after two Australians, Ricky Ponting, and Chennaiyin FC, a franchise of the Indian Super Allan Border.[92] League.[134] 10 17 NOTES

15.3 Mahi Racing Team India [2] “Dhoni is best finisher I have ever seen: Vengsarkar”. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 5 Dhoni’s interest in bikes was often discussed in December 2013. media.[135] He co-parternered Akkineni Nagarjuna in [3] “MS Dhoni, a fantastic finisher”. DNA India. Retrieved buying a Supersport World Championship team Mahi 5 December 2013. Racing Team India. [4] “Experts feel Dhoni is the best finisher”. Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 5 December 2013. 15.4 Biographical film [5] “Dhoni retires from Test cricket”. ESPNcricinfo.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014. A biographical film based on the life of Dhoni, titled M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, is set to be released in 2015. [6] “MS Dhoni joins BCCI boss’ company as vice-president”. The film features Sushant Singh Rajput playing the role . 2 February 2013. of Dhoni. The film is directed by Neeraj Pandey and pro- duced by Rhiti Sports Management, a company that man- [7] Jagannathan, K. T. (2 February 2013). “India Cements ages Dhoni’s commercial interests. appoints Dhoni as Vice-President”. The Hindu (Chennai, India).

[8] http://www.deccanchronicle.com/ 16 Endorsements 141006/sports-football/article/ dhoni-becomes-isl-team-chennaiyin-fc-co-owner

Dhoni signed with Kolkata-based celebrity manage- [9] “Padma Awards” (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Gov- ment company Gameplan Sports in April 2005.[136][137] ernment of India. 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015. Currently Dhoni has 20 endorsements, only Shahrukh [10] PTI (1 November 2011). “Dhoni, Bindra conferred Lt. Khan has more (21).[138] In 2007 Dhoni had 17 [139] Col. rank”. New Edition (Chennai, India: The endorsements. In July 2010, Dhoni tied up with Hindu). Retrieved 2 November 2011. Rhiti Sports Management and Mindscapes and has been promised a minimum guarantee of Rs 210 crore over the [11] “The 2011 Time 100”. Time. Retrieved 2 September next three years.[140] 2011.

The following is the list of endorsements signed by [12] “MS Dhoni, world’s 16th, 38th most mar- Dhoni:- ketable athletes”. The Times Of India. 26 June 2012.

[13] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni”. Forbes. 2014-06-10. Re- • [141][142] [141][142] [142] 2005: Pepsico, Reebok, Exide, trieved 2015-08-04. TVS Motors.[143] [14] “Players and Officials – MS Dhoni”. Cricinfo. • 2006: Mysore Sandal Soap,[144] Videocon,[145] Reliance Communications,[146] Reliance En- [15] Dinakar, S. (9 December 2005). “Interview – M. S. ergy,[146] Orient PSPO Fan,[147] Bharat Dhoni”. Sportstar 28 (49) (The Hindu). Retrieved 30 Petroleum,[148] Titan Sonata,[149] Brylcreem,[150] April 2012. [151] [152] NDTV, GE Money. [16] MS Dhoni’s sister to convey school’s best wishes | India vs England 2012 – News | NDTVSports.com. • [153] 2007: Siyaram. Sports.ndtv.com (2013-01-17). Retrieved on 2013-12- 23. • 2008: Fashion at Big Bazaar alongside Bollywood actress Asin, Maha Choco, Boost (health food), [17] “Ranchi rocker”. The Tribune. India. 29 April 2006. Re- Dainik Bhaskar[154] trieved 12 May 2007.

• 2009: Dabur Honey, Kolkata Fashion Week.[155] [18] “SAD, senility and nudes”. Cricinfo. 30 April 2006. Re- Aircel communications, Nova Scottia Premium trieved 12 May 2007. shirts. [19] “Besides mane matters...”. The Hindu. India. 5 August 2005. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. • 2010: Amrapali[156] Retrieved 19 May 2007.

[20] "'The cameras used to pass by, now they stop for me'". 17 Notes Cricinfo. 4 May 2005. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [21] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni: From a 'ticket collector' [1] “Dhoni’s numbers prove his worth as a finisher in One Day to Team India 'World Cup winning' captain”. Arti- Internationals”. : Daily Mail. 15 February 2012. cles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. 2011-04-03. Re- Retrieved 5 December 2013. trieved 2014-08-07. 11

[22] Mahi of Midnapore [44] “Sandeep-`I recommended Karthik to the selectors’". Cricinfo. 6 September 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [23] Chandan Banerjee. “Indian Railway keeps Dhoni, Dola waiting”. Express India. Retrieved 2012-08-02. [45] “Kumble opts out of one-dayers against Bangladesh”. Cricinfo. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [24] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/dhoni-weds-sakshi/ specialcoverage/6129940.cms [46] "Scorecard:India v/s Bangladesh 1st ODI 2004/05 Sea- son”. Cricinfo. 23 December 2004. Retrieved 12 May [25] IANS, 4 July 2010, 05.16 pm IST (4 July 2010). “Dhoni 2007. set to tie knot on Sunday evening”. The Times of India. Retrieved 20 December 2010. [47] “Kumble and Laxman omitted from one-day squad”. Cricinfo. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [26] “Dhoni marries girlfriend in a hush hush manner”. Enter- tainment.oneindia.in. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 20 Decem- [48] “Highest scores by wicketkeepers”. Rediff. 6 April 2005. ber 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2007.

[27] “Dhoni’s wedding was planned”. Bollywood- [49] "Scorecard:Sri Lanka v/s India 3rd ODI 2005/06 Season”. hungama.com. 5 July 2010. Archived from the Cricinfo. 31 October 2005. Retrieved 12 May 2007. original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010. [50] “Wisden Almanack: India v Sri Lanka, 2005–06”. [28] “Man of the moment”. India Today, 3 October 2007. Re- Wisden Almanack. Retrieved 13 May 2007. trieved 4 October 2013. [51] “Dhoni’s day in the sun”. 2 November 2005. Retrieved [29] “Scorecard: Cooch Behar Trophy Final 1999/2000 Sea- 11 May 2007. son”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [52] “Sri Lanka in India, 2005–06 One-Day Series Averages”. [30] “Statistics: Bihar Squad U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy Aver- Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. ages”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [53] “Pathan elevated to top bracket, Zaheer demoted”. [31] “Scorecard: Assam v/s Bihar 1999/2000 Ranji Trophy Cricinfo. 24 December 2005. Retrieved 12 May 2007. Season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [54] “Scorecard – India v/s Pakistan 1st ODI 2005/06 season”. [32] "Scorecard:Bihar v/s Bengal Ranji Trophy 2000/01 Sea- Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2007. son”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 May 2007. [55] “Scorecard – India v/s Pakistan 3rd ODI 2005/06 season”. [33] “Statistics: 2000/01 Bihar Squad Ranji Trophy Averages”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2007. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [56] “Dhoni’s blitz tears Pakistan asunder”. The Sportstar. 18 [34] “Statistics: 2001/02 Bihar Squad Ranji Trophy Averages”. February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 August Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2007. [35] “Pitching it right, and some old familiar faces”. Cricinfo. 4 March 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [57] “Scorecard – India v/s Pakistan 5th ODI 2005/06 season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 May 2007. [36] “Scorecard: Final 2003/2004 Season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [58] “Dhoni clinches top spot”. Cricinfo. 20 April 2006. Re- trieved 13 May 2007. [37] “Bring back the scouts”. Mirror. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2011. [59] “Gilchrist replaces Dhoni at the top”. Cricinfo. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2007. [38] “Agarkar and Karthik dropped”. Cricinfo. 7 July 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. [60] “South Africa to fly home”. Cricinfo. 16 August 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2007. [39] “Scorecard: Zimbabwe Select XI v India A 3rd Match Kenya Triangular Tournament 2004 Season”. Cricinfo. [61] “India-Sri Lanka one-dayers canceled”. Cricinfo. 20 Au- Retrieved 12 May 2007. gust 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2007.

[40] "Scorecard:India A v Pakistan A 2004 Season”. Cricinfo. [62] “Kirmani stumped by Dhoni’s wicket-keeping technique”. Retrieved 12 May 2007. Cricinfo. 24 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2007.

[41] "Scorecard:India A v Pakistan A 6th Match Kenya Trian- [63] “Ire over Team India’s defeat”. The Hindu (India). 19 gular Tournament 2004 Season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 March 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007. May 2007. [64] “Dhoni family’s security worries Jharkhand MLAs”. Ya- [42] "Scorecard:India A v Pakistan A 8th Match Kenya Trian- hoo. 19 March 2007. Archived from the original on 6 gular Tournament 2004 Season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 12 September 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007. May 2007. [65] “The poster boy comes of age”. The Sportstar. 19 May [43] “Ganguly – 'We can pick up the momentum'". Cricinfo. 2007. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Re- 16 August 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2007. trieved 23 May 2008. 12 17 NOTES

[66] “Indian board revises list of contracted players”. Cricinfo. [87] “Dhoni moves ahead of Ganguly with 22nd win”. Wisden 17 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007. India. 5 March 2013.

[67] “Hussey replaces Dhoni as No.1 ODI batsman”. The [88] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni banned for 2 ODIs, Sehwag to Hindu (Chennai, India). 1 February 2010. Retrieved 1 lead – Sport – DNA”. Dnaindia.com. 19 December 2009. February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.

[68] “Yahoo Cricket”. Retrieved 12 February 2012. [89] “Dhoni faces ban from Adelaide Test for Team India’s Slow over rate at Perth – CricIndia – Following Indian [69] “Kohli fastest to 17 ODI tons | Cricket News | India v Aus- Cricket”. CricIndia. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 24 tralia”. ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2014-08-07. February 2012.

[70] “Ganguly included in Test squad”. Cricinfo. 23 Novem- [90] “Dhoni’s world cup bat sold for Rs. 72 lakhs”. Ndtv.com. ber 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2007. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2012.

[71] “Jayawardene and Vaas star in draw”. Cricinfo. 6 Decem- [91] “India announce preliminary 30 man World Cup squad”. ber 2005. Retrieved 18 May 2007. icc-cricket.com. 4 December 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2015. [72] "Scorecard:India v/s Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2005/06 Season”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 May 2007. [92] “India beat Bangladesh to reach Cricket World Cup semi- finals”. BBC Sport. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March [73] “Match Report – Pakistan v India, 2005–06 Second Test”. 2015. Wisden Almanack. Retrieved 18 May 2007. [93] Ipl 2008#Player auctions [74] “Epidemic of dropped catches”. Cricinfo. 21 March 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2007. [94] “Indian Premier League, 2007/08 / Records / Most runs”. Retrieved 20 May 2012. [75] “Both teams in selection quandary”. Cricinfo. 1 January 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007. [95] “Indian Premier League, 2009 / Records / Most runs”. Retrieved 20 May 2012. [76] "'I think you should walk off', Lara told Dhoni”. Cricinfo. 11 June 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007. [96] “Indian Premier League, 2009/10 / Records / Most runs”. Retrieved 20 May 2012. [77] “India beat Sri Lanka by an innings to top Test rankings”. BBC Sport. 6 December 2009. Retrieved 8 December [97] “Indian Premier League, 2011 / Records / Most runs”. 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

[78] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni Retires from Test Cricket”. [98] “Indian Premier League, 2012 / Records / Most runs”. NDTVsports.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 De- Retrieved 31 May 2012. cember 2014. [99] “Harbhajan’s nightmare, and a deluge of runs”. 25 January [79] “Dhoni rewrites record for most stumpings”. The Hindu. 2006. Retrieved 18 May 2007. 27 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014. [100] “There’s something about Dhoni”. 21 October 2008. [80] “First draw in 17 years at the MCG”. ESPNcricinfo.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014. [101] “Records | Test matches | Wicketkeeping records | Most dismissals in a match | ESPN Cricinfo”. [81] “Dhoni Named Captain Of India Twenty20 Squad”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 2014-08-07. cricketworld.com. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 19 Decem- ber 2009. [102] “ records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved [82] “India crowned champion after a pulsating contest”. The 2014-08-07. Hindu (India). 25 September 2007. Retrieved 19 Decem- ber 2009. [103] “Records of MS Dhoni in Test Cricket”. Cricmatez.com. Retrieved 2014-08-07. [83] “India name Dhoni one day Captain”. reuters_india. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2009. [104] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni: India’s worst Test captain away from home”. Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-02-09. Retrieved [84] “Kumble retires, Dhoni named Test captain”. chitra- 2014-08-07. mala.com. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2009. [105] “Mahendra Singh Dhoni: India’s worst Test captain away from home”. Sports..com. 2014-02-11. Retrieved [85] “Harbhajan and Mishra spin India to victory”. cricket- 2014-08-07. world.com. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2009. [106] “Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / Team records”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 2014-08-07. [86] “Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / All-round records: Tests as wicketkeeper”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 November [107] “New Zealand pace attack on a high”. Espncricinfo.com. 2011. Retrieved 2014-08-07. 13

[108] “Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / [127] “Cricket Records | Records | India | One-Day Interna- Most sixes in an innings”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 Novem- tionals | Most matches as captain | ESPN Cricinfo”. ber 2011. Stats.espncricinfo.com. 30 December 2013.

[109] “Statistics–Statsguru–One-Day Internationals–Batting [128] “Team records | Twenty20 Internationals | Cricinfo Stats- Records more than 5,000 runs as mimimum qual- guru | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved ification”. Cricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 23 August 30 December 2013. 2015. [129] “Team records | Twenty20 Internationals | Cricinfo Stats- [110] “Highest averages: India – One-Day Internationals”. Re- guru | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved trieved 11 May 2007. 30 December 2013.

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[113] “Two world records for Dhoni”. 10 June 2007. Retrieved [131] “Cricket Records | Records | India | Twenty20 In- 11 June 2007. ternationals | List of captains | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 30 December 2013. [114] “Records | One-Day Internationals | Batting records | Fastest to 8000 runs | ESPN Cricinfo”. [132] “Dhoni awarded honorary doctorate degree by British Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 2014-08-07. University | Cricket News – Yahoo! Cricket”. Cricket.yahoo.com. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 9 [115] The author has posted comments on this article. “Dhoni May 2012. 4th fastest to complete 8,000 ODI runs – The Times of In- dia”. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2014-08- [133] “Dhoni buys Ranchi franchise of ”. 07. Times of India. Retrieved 14 December 2014.

[116] “MS Dhoni 4th fastest to complete 8,000 ODI runs – IBN- [134] “MS Dhoni becomes ISL team Chennaiyin FC co-owner”. Live”. Ibnlive.in.com. 2014-01-31. Retrieved 2014-08- The Times of India. 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-07. 07. [135] MS Dhoni and his bikes | itimes Photos. Ww.itimes.com [117] “List of Test victories”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April (2012-06-21). Retrieved on 2013-12-23. 2012. [136] “It’s Diwali for Dhoni as brands queue up for him”. The [118] “Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | Hindu. India. 3 November 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2007. ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 31 December 2014. [137] “Will Dhoni be next big catch for sponsors?". The Hindu. India. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2007. [119] “List of ODI victories”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2012. [138] Prashant Singh (11 April 2009). “India Today article on endorsements”. Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 20 De- [120] “List of T20I victories”. Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April cember 2010. 2012. [139] “Billions of Blue Bursting Bubbles”. Tehelka. 21 April [121] “Rain dampens India’s celebrations”. Rediff. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007. 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2007. [140] “New entrants shake up celebrity management”. Business [122] “Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Standard. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 3 December Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 30 Decem- 2010. ber 2014. [141] “Brand Sehwag, Harbhajan and Munaf out for England [123] “Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN tour”. Cricinfo. 12 June 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007. Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 30 Decem- ber 2014. [142] “Now Dhoni to give power to Exide”. The Economic Times (India). 27 November 2005. Retrieved 11 May [124] “Cricket Records | Records | India | Test matches 2007. | Most matches as captain | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved [143] “TVS Motor ropes in Dhoni as its brand ambassador”. The 30 December 2013. Economic Times (India). 18 December 2005. Retrieved 11 May 2007. [125] “Team records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Stats- guru | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. 30 De- [144] “Cricketer Dhoni is brand ambassador for KSDL”. The cember 2013. Hindu (India). 4 January 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[126] “Team records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Stats- [145] Mahanta, Vinod (11 January 2006). “Videocon ropes in guru | ESPN Cricinfo”. Stats.espncricinfo.com. 30 De- Dhoni as brand ambassador for Rs 40 lakh”. The Eco- cember 2013. nomic Times (India). Retrieved 11 May 2007. 14 18 EXTERNAL LINKS

[146] “Dhoni, brand ambassador for Reliance Comm.”. The Hindu (India). 28 March 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[147] “Orient Fans signs on Dhoni”. The Hindu. India. 4 March 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[148] “For greater mileage”. The Hindu. India. 17 March 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[149] “Titan Press Release”. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[150] “Dhoni to let his hair down for Brylcreem”. The Economic Times (India). 8 May 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[151] “Dhoni is now NDTV’s scoop”. The Hindu. India. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[152] “Dhoni is GE Money brand ambassador”. The Hindu. In- dia. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[153] “Playing with the blue-chip billion”. The Economic Times (India). 21 February 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

[154] “DNA India article on endorsing Dainik Bhaskar”. Dnain- dia.com. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2010.

[155] “Dhoni to be brand ambassador of Kolkata Fashion Week”.

[156] Thursday, 25 November 2010 at 2354 hrs IST (25 November 2010). “Small realty cos embrace celebrities to boost sales”. The Financial Express. Retrieved 20 De- cember 2010.

18 External links

• Player profile: Mahendra Singh Dhoni from ESPNcricinfo

• MS Dhoni's profile page on Wisden • Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s official website

• Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s official Facebook page • Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s official Twitter account 15

19 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

19.1 Text • Mahendra Singh Dhoni Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahendra_Singh_Dhoni?oldid=681779991 Contributors: Palnatoke, Ixfd64, SatyrTN, Tpbradbury, Moriori, Korath, Academic Challenger, Hemanshu, Utcursch, Andycjp, Kesac, D6, Figleaf, Indosauros, Discospinster, Brianhe, Rich Farmbrough, Bender235, VishalB, Bobo192, Idleguy, Bmahendr, Alansohn, Sumalsn, Rd232, Riana, Yamla, Stephen Turner, Nowoco, *Paul*, Snowolf, Jguk, Tintin1107, Sam Vimes, Ganeshk, Tabletop, Broomballcory, BD2412, Nlsanand, Rjwilmsi, Jake Wartenberg, DeadlyAssassin, MZMcBride, Gd, Bhadani, Tony2Times, Berkshire, Sbohra, Betasam, Thefourdotelipsis, Gu- rubrahma, DaGizza, Bgwhite, YurikBot, Sceptre, Deeptrivia, RussBot, Abhigp, Gaius Cornelius, Rsrikanth05, Kimchi.sg, Srini81, Nawl- inWiki, Tejas81, Jenis23, LiamE, Vumsy, Anetode, Tony1, Aaron Schulz, Tachs, Bnitin, Wknight94, Rajeshroshan, Shyam, Ilmari Karo- nen, RG2, Amalthea, Crystallina, Obnoxious, SmackBot, YellowMonkey, Reedy, Shabda, Nil Einne, PeeJay2K3, PeterSymonds, Gilliam, Hmains, Transid4u, Cs-wolves, Rmosler2100, Amatulic, Quinsareth, Snori, TheFeds, Colonies Chris, Amarrg, CricketBot, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Jahiegel, OrphanBot, Rrburke, RedHillian, Wine Guy, SundarBot, Huon, Brianhenke, PrometheusX303, Tsam, Ke- nan&Kel 97, Hammer1980, Jandolin, Harrias, Ramv, Qmwne235, Ohconfucius, Lastlegion, Apalaria, Nishkid64, Srikeit, Sambot, JohnI, Catapult, Shyamsunder, Speedboy Salesman, Asifkalam, GuitarMan65, Bibjohnson, Souravsinha, Outsider2810, Dl2000, The-Pope, Hu12, Vamsisv, Iridescent, JoeBot, Shoeofdeath, -JP-, Courcelles, Mandeep100, Nmadhubala, Ollie, KNM, CmdrObot, Patman1993, Sriramu, Pewwer42, Cydebot, Maverick Neo, Jackyd101, Achangeisasgoodasa, Travelbird, Lugnuts, OrangeKnight, Bullrider, Doug Weller, Hitro- Milanese, Kozuch, Gardrol, Jay.Here, PKT, Thijs!bot, Rustingbrain, TonyTheTiger, SGGH, Rohan@ @, Canandm, Hecter007, Adz2227, Nick Number, Rushh, Dawnseeker2000, Qp10qp, Alanobrien, Prolog, Robzz, Himanish, Znkp, Jacksmith123, Manishksingh97, Rajhank, KuwarOnline, Kmisra, Savant13, Rothorpe, SiobhanHansa, Tarif Ezaz, Mayankeagle, VoABot II, Surelyhappy, Appraiser, InTeGeR13, King 2000uk, Shubham06, Adrian J. 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19.2 Images • File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Dhoni_ODI_Graph.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Dhoni_ODI_Graph.jpg License: Public do- main Contributors: Own work Original artist: Vimalkalyan at English Wikipedia 16 19 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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