MS Dhoni turns 39; team buddies shower some love on Twitter

Updated: Jul 07, 2020, 12:00 IST | mid-day online correspondent | Mumbai

Dhoni's India teammates, former and current, take to social media to wish the former India captain as he turned 39 today

Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 39 years today and the entire Indian cricket fraternity thronged to social media site Twitter to extend birthday wishes and some love and admiration for former Indian captain on Tuesday.

MS Dhoni is the only international captain to have won an ICC 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy - a rare feat in the sport. He even led India to the number one ranking in both Test and ODI formats.

Several members of the Indian cricket fraternity took to Twitter to wish Dhoni on his special day.

"Happy birthday to my Bittu from your Chittu. My friend who has taught me to be a better human being and stood by me in bad times MS Dhoni," India all-rounder Hardik Pandya wrote on Twitter.

"Happy birthday to MS Dhoni...a true leader who led from front, a true brother who stands for his real brothers. A true fighter till the last ball in play. Thanks a lot brother for such great moments with me...loved every advise given to me and team," S Sreesanth said.

"Many more happy returns of the day to a man whose composure and patience continues to be an inspiration," wrote VVS Laxman.

Virender Sehwag tweeted: "Once in a generation, a player comes and a nation connects with him, think of him as a member of their family, kuch bahut apna sa lagta hai. Happy Birthday to a man who is the world (Dhoni-ya) for his many admirers."

"Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday MS Dhoni to one of my favorite human, brother & a leader I could ever ask for! The man who has always played with his mind and heart. Thank you for all the inspiration Dhoni Bhai," tweeted Suresh Raina.

BCCI also paid a tribute to the former Indian captain by sharing a montage of the monstrous sixes which he smashed throughout his career.

MS Dhoni, who made his foray into the world of cricket in 2004 against Bangladesh, has been a remarkable servant of the sport. The 39-year-old has been a vital cog for Indian cricket ever since he made his entry into international cricket. Be it his brilliant glove work or his skillful batting, Dhoni has contributed in every way possible for taking the Men in Blue to the pinnacle of the sport.

MS Dhoni has so far played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is for India, amassing over 17,000 international runs.

Regarded as one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team, Dhoni has been on a sabbatical ever since the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup where India lost to New Zealand. Its been almost a year that he has been away from the cricket field, yet conversations about his return or future retirement have never died out in the time since and he still remains one of the most talked-about cricketers in the present era.

Speculations about his retirement from all forms of international cricket have been going ever since the 2019 World Cup. But Dhoni has still not made any such announcement. However, one thing is sure -- whenever he hangs his boots, it will be a day when entire India will have tears in its eyes, just like when Sachin Tendulkar drew curtains on his 24-year-old long career in Mumbai.

Inputs from IANS

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MS Dhoni turns 39: A look at the life of Mahi with Sakshi, Ziva and his dear ones
  • 1/22

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most successful Indian cricketers in the history of the game. He is a right-handed wicket-keeper-batsman and an occasional seam bowler.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture after being awarded the Padma Bhushan. Sakshi Dhoni accompanied her husband for the award ceremony.

  • 2/22

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also a Lieutenant Colonel of the Indian Army. He is the only Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev to have received the honorary rank.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture and captioned, "An honour to get the Padma Bhushan and receiving it in Uniform increases the excitement ten folds.thanks to all the Men and Women in Uniform and their families for the Sacrifices they make so that all of us could enjoy our Constitutional Rights.Jai Hind"

  • 3/22

    MS Dhoni the only Indian captain to have won two ICC World Cups, the first one as captain was when he won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup with an inexperienced Indian team. The second was the ICC World Cup in 2011, where he hit the winning runs in the final.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture in his army suit and wrote, "Last year around this time our group finished 4 day and 1 night jump to earn our wings.memorable 22days"

  • 4/22

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born and brought up in Ranchi. His father did service and held junior managerial positions in a company called MECON

    MS Dhoni posted this picture from his initial days. He wrote, "My first time at the border, long back"

  • 5/22

    MS Dhoni was purchased by Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural IPL 2008 season for a price of USD 1.5 million, making him the costliest player in that year's auctions.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture with his family after winning the 2018 IPL with Chennai Super Kings. He wrote, "Thanks everyone for the support and Mumbai for turning yellow.Shane ‘shocking’ Watson played a shocking innings to get us through.end of a good season.Ziva doesn’t care about the trophy, wants to run on the lawn according to her wordings."

  • 6/22

    MS Dhoni won the IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2010, 2011 and 2018. He also won the 2010 and 2014 Champions League trophies with the team.

    Sakshi Dhon i posted this picture and captioned, "You paid for the shoes so you tie them too !!! Photo Credit - @k.a.b.b.s"

  • 7/22

    When Chennai Super Kings were handed a 2-year ban in 2016 from IPL, Rising Pune Supergiants purchased the former Indian captain for Rs. 13 crore. 

    Sakshi Dhon i posted this picture and captioned, "You paid for the band so you screw it too #Round2 Photo credits @k.a.b.b.s"

  • 8/22

    In 2018, after Chennai Super Kings made a comeback into the IPL, they bought back their captain MS Dhoni to lead the side. MS Dhoni didn't disappoint, he led the team to their third IPL title.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture with his wife Sakshi Dhoni from an event.

  • 9/22

    MS Dhoni married his schoolmate Sakshi Rawat in July 2010. The couple has a daughter named Ziva.

    Sakshi Dhoni posted this adorable picture from her 30th birthday bash, with hubby MS Dhoni and daughter Ziva Dhoni

  • 10/22

    Sakshi Dhoni was a hotel management trainee at the Taj Bengal when she fell in love with MS Dhoni and they married after dating for a while.

    MS Dhoni helping daughter Ziva build sand castles at the beach, He captioned, "As a kid whenever v got sand this was one thing v would do for sure"

  • 11/22

    Apart from playing cricket for the Indian teams, MS Dhoni also has stakes in several teams from different sporting leagues. He is the owner of Ranchi Rays in the Hockey India League.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture of daughter Ziva feeding him a carrot. He wrote, "Ziva’s bugs bunny @zivasinghdhoni006"

  • 12/22

    MS Dhoni is also the co-owner of ISL team Chennaiyin FC along with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and Vita Dani.

    MS Dhoni seen here in a playful mood with toddler Ziva. He wrote, "crawling with Ziva"

  • 13/22

    MS Dhoni is the only cricketer in India, whose life has been brought to reel while he is still playing cricket. In 2016, MS Dhoni - The Untold Story released to rave reviews across India. Late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput essayed the title role of MS Dhoni.

    MS Dhoni loves spending time with his dogs. He posted this picture and captioned, "A bit of hugging,training, catching practice and getting unconditional love in return.priceless"

  • 14/22

    MS Dhoni was voted as the MTV Youth Icon of the Year in 2006.

    MS Dhoni has a shooting yard at his house. He posted this picture and wrote, "Shooting gun is so much more fun than shooting ads"

  • 15/22

    MS Dhoni won the ICC ODI Player Of The Year award in 2008 and 2009.

    MS Dhoni out on a trip with his childhood friends. He took the train ride with his buddies for the trip.

  • 16/22

    MS Dhoni was awarded the Padma Shri, Indian fourth-highest civilian award in 2009.

    MS Dhoni posted this picture where he is in Rajnikanth mode. He wrote, "Tried copying the pose of The One and Only THALAIVAR"

  • 17/22

    MS Dhoni won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2008, which is the highest honor given for achievement in sports in India

    MS Dhoni lives the simple life in his home town. he posted this picture and captioned, "Tried my hands at polishing marbles only to find out it's quite tough, something's should be left to professionals"

  • 18/22

    In picture: Wonder daughter Ziva recognises her father MS Dhoni in his new look. Dhoni captioned, "ziva and me"

  • 19/22

    MS Dhoni posted this picture from a drive with his childhood buddies. He captioned, "Three stooges going for a drive"

  • 20/22

    MS Dhoni playing some football video games with fellow cricketers, including Axar Patel and Jaydev Unadkat. he captioned, "Spain vs Argentina"

  • 21/22

    We all know MS Dhoni has an insatiable love for motor bikes. He posted this picture where he is seen borrowing a bike from the police for a joyride.

  • 22/22

    Sakshi Dhoni posted this picture of herself, her husband Dhoni and daughter Ziva with some friends in Chennai. She captioned, "#chennaifamily #reunited"

About the gallery

Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrates his 39th birthday today. We take a look at some pictures of the Dhoni from his personal diaries with his beloved wife Sakshi and their adorable daughter Ziva. (Pictures/ MS Dhoni Instagram and Sakshi Dhoni Instagram)

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