From Ranchi to Hall of Fame: MS Dhoni’s legacy sealed in cricketing history

Dubai: Mahendra Singh Dhoni didn’t chase greatness. He walked past it with a bat in one hand, gloves on the other, and an uncanny calm that made chaos seem like strategy.

Now, 21 years after he made his international debut — and 14 years after that iconic six that won India the World Cup — the former Indian captain has received one of cricket’s most prestigious honours: induction into the ICC Hall of Fame.

“It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world,” the 43-year-old said, hailed as one of the dreaded finishers of the game. “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”

Dhoni’s story isn’t just about runs and records — although the numbers are staggering. In 538 international matches for India, he scored 17,266 runs, completed 839 dismissals and led a generation through one of the country’s most successful eras.

His debut in 2004 was quiet — dismissed for a duck — but it didn’t take long for the long-haired, fearless wicketkeeper from Ranchi to light up world cricket. A 148 against Pakistan in just his fifth innings announced his arrival. The 183 not out against Sri Lanka in 2005, still the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper, sealed his place in Indian hearts.

By the time Dhoni took over the captaincy, Indian cricket was in transition. His first major assignment — the 2007 T20 World Cup — was a risk: a young team, missing big names, with modest expectations. But Dhoni brought a new template — calm, fearless, and tactically sharp. India lifted the title, beating Pakistan in a final that changed the face of T20 cricket forever.

If there’s one record that truly defines ‘Capatin Cool’ Dhoni’s greatness, it’s this: he remains the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC men’s white-ball trophies — the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

But his influence wasn’t limited to coloured clothing. Under Dhoni, India climbed to No 1 in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in 2009. He captained India in a record 200 ODIs and is still regarded as one of the sharpest minds behind the stumps — with a world-record 123 stumpings to prove it.

Dhoni’s legacy is more than statistics. It’s in the trust he placed in young players. In the calm he brought to pressure situations. In the helicopter shot that became symbolic of belief.

Even after his retirement from international cricket, he continues to lead Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League — still making crowds roar with just a walk to the crease.

Now, alongside Matthew Hayden, Hashim Amla, Daniel Vettori and Graeme Smith, Dhoni takes his place among cricket’s immortals. It’s not just recognition. It’s confirmation — that MS Dhoni wasn’t just one of the greatest to play for India.

He was one of the greatest, period.