Legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni has been inducted into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, becoming the 11th Indian cricketer to receive this honour. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the names on Monday, June 9, recognizing seven iconic figures who have made remarkable contributions to the game.
Dhoni, one of the most successful and celebrated wicketkeeper-batters in the history of cricket, expressed his gratitude and pride at receiving the accolade. “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. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever,” Dhoni said in a media release issued by the ICC.
Dhoni’s journey in international cricket began on December 23, 2004, in an ODI against Bangladesh. His debut was far from ideal – he was run out for a duck on his very first delivery. However, he quickly turned things around with a stunning knock of 148 in just his fifth match, against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam. That innings marked the beginning of an extraordinary career that saw Dhoni become a mainstay in the Indian team across all three formats.
Soon after cementing his place in the squad, Dhoni was entrusted with the captaincy – and he delivered beyond expectations. He led India to victory in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, and four years later, played a match-winning innings of 91* (off 79 balls) in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup, ending the country’s 28-year-long wait for the title. In 2013, he added another feather to his cap by leading India to a Champions Trophy win, making him the first and only captain to win all three major ICC trophies.
Apart from his leadership, Dhoni’s skills behind the stumps set new benchmarks. With 829 dismissals in 608 international innings – comprising 634 catches and 195 stumpings – he is the third most successful wicketkeeper in cricket history. Dhoni’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is a testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on the sport, both in India and around the world.
