Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Nicknames: Mahi, Captain Cool, Thala
Date of Birth: July 7, 1981
Place of Birth: Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India
Occupation: Cricketer (Retired), Entrepreneur
Early Life
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born to Pan Singh and Devaki Devi in a middle-class Rajput family. He grew up in Ranchi and developed a keen interest in sports, excelling in football and badminton during his school years. Initially a goalkeeper in football, Dhoni transitioned to cricket when his school’s cricket coach spotted his potential as a wicketkeeper
Cricket Career
Domestic Career
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Dhoni began his cricket journey playing for Bihar in the Ranji Trophy in the 1999-2000 season. Later, his consistent performances earned him a spot in the India A team, where his explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping caught the eye of selectors
International Career
Dhoni made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Bangladesh on December 23, 2004. Although he failed to impress in his initial matches, he announced his arrival with a blistering 148 against Pakistan in 2005. His maiden century cemented his place in the team as a hard-hitting batsman and reliable wicketkeeper
Captaincy (2007-2016): Dhoni became India’s limited-overs captain in 2007 and Test captain in 2008. Known for his calm demeanor, he led India to numerous victories, including
2007 ICC T20 World Cup: India’s first T20 World Cup win
2011 ICC Cricket World Cup: Dhoni famously sealed the victory with a six in the final against Sri Lanka
2013 ICC Champions Trophy: Making India the only team to win all major ICC trophies under one captain
IPL Career
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhoni captains the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Under his leadership CSK has won multiple titles, becoming one of the most successful teams in IPL history 
Dhoni’s leadership and tactical acumen have been instrumental in CSK’s consistent performances
Retirement
Dhoni retired from Test cricket in December 2014 and stepped down as limited-overs captain in 2017 On August 15, 2020, he announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career.
Personal Life
Dhoni married Sakshi Singh Rawat on July 4, 2010, and the couple has a daughter named Ziva. Despite his fame, Dhoni remains grounded and is known for his simplicity and love for nature
Legacy and Impact
Dhoni is celebrated as one of the greatest captains and finishers in cricket history.
He is known for his innovative strategies, including the use of unconventional field placements and a calm approach to high-pressure