Leeds: Iconic former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrated his 38th birthday with daughter Ziva, wife Sakshi and members of the Indian team after their seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the last World Cup group game at Headingley.
Dhoni was seen dancing with Ziva in a slo-mo video made by his wife Sakshi of the cake-cutting ceremony, which also showed all-rounder Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav. A side bump on boomerang with Rishabh Pant have already crossed lakhs of views on Instagram.
The World Cup-winning skipper was showered with love and lots of good wishes from former players, teammates and fans on social media.
Recently, Dhoni attracted a lot of stick for his slow batting during the World Cup. But his team led by skipper Virat Kohli has been rock-solid by his side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to Twitter to wish the wicketkeeper-batsman and said: “Four World Cups, four different looks, which one do you like the most? Take a pick. Happy Birthday Dhoni.”
“One man, a billion emotions, a lifetime of memories, Happy Birthday, MS Dhoni,” tweeted ICC.
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag termed Dhoni a wonder in the cricketing world and said, “Seven continents in the world, seven days in a week, seven colours in a rainbow, seven basic musical notes, seven chakras in a human being, seven pheras in marriage, seven wonders of the world, the seventh day of the seventh month — birthday of a wonder of the cricketing world. Happy Birthday Dhoni. May God Bless You.”
Dhoni is the most experienced player in India’s World Cup squad and is still considered to be an integral part of the Kohli-led side. Probably playing in his last 50-over World Cup, Dhoni has been criticised on a number of occasions in the ongoing tournament for his batting approach.
He is the only international captain to have won an ICC 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. He even led India to the No. 1 ranking in both Test and ODI formats.
“First played together in Bangladesh in 2004 and shortly saw him announce his arrival against Pakistan at Vizag when he scored 148, hasn’t looked back since and the legend of MS Dhoni has only grown by the year. Wishing a once in a lifetime player and captain, Happy Birthday Dhoni,” tweeted former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
“Wishing MS Dhoni all the very best in life. Luck, love and success Happy Birthday Dhoni,” former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman tweeted.
“Happy birthday to the man who established his own brand of cricket,” said Shikhar Dhawan.
