Fantasy cricket league platform Dream11 bags the title sponsor for the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League scheduled to play in UAE. The Change in IPL title sponsor occurs as the Chinese mobile phone manufacture “VIVO” pulls out of this year’s IPL title sponsor.
VIVO had paid Rs 2,199 crore for a five-year contract in 2018. Owing to the Indo-Chinese conflicts in the Ladakh range(India China border) in June month VIVO took this decision.
BCCI Release Tender notice:
After this incident, On August 10 BCCI released a formal tender notice to the interesting parties as an expression of interest (EOI) for the title sponsor. The tender is open for companies having at least 300CR revenue and the date of application is 14 August. BCCI will announce the final sponsors on 18 August and giving a seven-day window to respond.
Various companies including Unacademy, Byju, Amazon, and sports fantasy platform Dream11 get in competition to win the bid.
Dream11 Pays Half of VIVO:
Finally, Dream11 won the bid for the IPL 2020 title sponsor for a whopping amount of Rs 222 crore. The other bidders were Unacademy (Rs 210 crore), Tata Sons (Rs 180 crore), and Byju’s (Rs 125 crore).
Dream11’s bid is half(51%) of what VIVO was paying to BCCI for a year.
“It’s a decent amount considering the prevailing market conditions. The Board will bring two more official partners – Unacademy and Cred – to the table, which means Rs 80 cr more to the kitty,” sources added.
The break up of Dream11’s winning bid is as follows: Rs 222 crore for the first year, Rs 240 crore for year two, and Rs 240 crore for year three, for an average of Rs 234 crore per year.
Dream11 Investors:
Dream11 is a fantasy sports platform based in India which was co-founded by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth in 2008. Dream11’s investors included Kalaari Capital, Think Investments, Multiples Equity, Tencent, and Steadview Capital Management.
Dream11 counts Chinese internet behemoth Tencent as a major investor after the WeChat operator invested $100 million in 2018, a development first reported by ET.
Source: Dream11.in
In the wake of all the controversy surrounding Chinese investments in Indian sports, especially cricket, the BCCI has underlined that “Dream 11, essentially is an Indian start-up with single-digit Chinese investment that is negligible and can be resolved internally”.
Dream11’s Partnerships
In 2018, Dream11 announced its partnership with ICC (International Cricket Council), Pro Kabaddi League, International Hockey Federation (FIH), WBBL, and BBL. In 2018, through the above partnership, Dream11 introduced two new games on their platform viz., Kabaddi and Hockey.
In 2017, the company partnered with three leagues within cricket, football, and basketball. Dream11 became the Official Fantasy Partner for Hero Caribbean Premier League, Hero Indian Super League, and National Basketball Association (NBA).
Later in the year, they partnered with the Hero Indian Super League as their Official Fantasy Football Partner. In November 2017, the US professional basketball league National Basketball Association (NBA), launched a fantasy basketball game in association with Dream11 and launched their official NBA fantasy game on their platform.
Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar welcomes Dhoni to the retirement club via a Twitter post. The post reads ” Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni
. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings”.
Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp
Sachin Recalls The Moment When MSD Enters Indian Cricket Team:
I hadn’t heard about him (MS Dhoni) until he got into the Indian team. I saw him for the first time in Bangladesh during a one-day tournament. I was having a discussion with Sourav (Ganguly) and told him that this guy has something special in him and has the ability to hit the ball.
However, hitting the ball at first-class cricket level and hitting it at the international level are two different things.
Sachin Praised MSD:
He had hit two boundaries in that match, and I told Sourav, “Dada, he has that jhatka (whip) in his hand which he uses while hitting the ball. It was something special to see.”
It was his first outing with the Indian team. But the way he was hitting the ball, one could make out he was someone special.
He has been quiet with me all throughout. I had heard many stories that he will not come and say hello. Many found him rude, but we broke that barrier. His behavior was understandable. It happens when a player is new in the team and takes some time to open up.
For me, MS gave hope and showed nothing is impossible. He was talented and talent is something that will find its way. If somebody is talented, nobody can stop him.
The one quality I liked about him was his calmness. It’s something that helped him be so successful.
It has been a fantastic journey, he had come from a small place and played 15 years for India. I wish him all the best after a fantastic career. I enjoyed all his innings, and to single out one innings will be hard for me.
Whatever is going on in his mind and what he thinks about his body, only he knows. He knows it better than anybody else. I would much rather look at his contribution to Indian cricket, it has been immense. He has given joy to so many people around the globe and inspired so many youngsters to play this sport.
I would like to congratulate him on a fantastic career. I enjoyed playing with him.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli made his ODI debut on this same day(August 18) 12 years ago. Kohli on this special day faced Sri Lanka at Dambulla and managed to score just 12 runs.
Remembering this BCCI congratulated Kohli on completing 12 years in international cricket. BCCI on their official Twitter page quotes as “On this day in 2008, a young @imVkohli donned the #TeamIndia jersey for the first time and as they say, the rest is history. Here’s congratulating #TeamIndia Captain on #12YearsOfVirat”.
On this day in 2008, a young @imVkohli donned the #TeamIndia jersey for the first time and as they say the rest is history.
BCCI also posted a video of Virat Kohli’s impressive knock of 154* against New Zealand in Mohali. BCCI quotes “As we celebrate #12YearsOfViratKohli take a look at one his fine knocks (154*) against New Zealand in Mohali”.
In the past 12 years, Kohli has crossed several milestones. He was part of India’s World Cup-winning team in 2011, the Champions Trophy-winning team in 2013, and the team that climbed to the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
Kohli is second on the list of highest scorers for India on ODIs with 11,867 runs, only behind his mentor Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426, and has scored 70 international centuries behind Tendulkar’s 100. He is the fastest to reach 10,000 runs ODIs.
Kohli succeeded MS Dhoni as India’s Test captain in 2015, and ODI and T20I captain in 2017. He has 7,240 Test runs to his name and holds the record for the most double hundreds (7) among Indian batsmen in Tests.
Former India skipper MS Dhoni has rescued the team out of difficulty on numerous events and remained calm in under pressure situations. Remaining cool regardless of being under pressure came naturally to him. In any case, one doesn’t generally have the foggiest idea of how he was outside the field.
Former India batsman VVS Laxman reviewed two occurrences from Dhoni’s profession on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected talk show, which indicated how quiet he was. Subsequent to scoring a ton at Faisalabad Test in 2006, where he scored his maiden ton, he continued kidding in the changing room that he would resign from Tests.
“I still remember him coming back into the dressing room (after his maiden Test ton, versus Pakistan in Faisalabad in 2006) and loudly saying ‘I am going to announce my retirement – MS Dhoni, mai hundred maara Test cricket mein, bas yaar [I, MS Dhoni, have hit a century in Test cricket that’s it!],” Laxman said.
“I don’t want anything more from Test cricket!’ And we were shocked and surprised to hear that. But that’s what MS Dhoni always was,” he said.
Once, Laxman recalls, Dhoni drove the team bus from stadium to hotel in Nagpur during the 2008 Test series against Australia.
“He was the captain of the Indian team because Anil [Kumble] announced his retirement two matches before in Delhi (in 2008). And MS Dhoni asked the team bus driver to just go and sit behind, and he drove the team bus from the ground to the hotel in Nagpur, and we were all awestruck. The captain of the Indian team, driving the team bus!
“That’s how he used to enjoy his life. For him, being a cricketer was doing everything on the cricket field, but outside the field, everything was normal,” Laxman said.
Indian former cricketer Irfan Pathan points out the difficulties that bowlers would face while bowling to MS Dhoni in IPL 2020. Indian former skipper MS Dhoni announced his retirement on August 15 after reaching Chennai to get part in practice camp.
MS Dhoni is also expected to play IPL for another couple of years which also confirmed by CSK officials.
Pathan’s Feels Happy:
“When he (Dhoni) comes to play in the IPL, I think all the bowlers, even the players who retired like me, will be very happy that they are not bowling against MS Dhoni in the IPL – because he is going to go with full flow,” he said on the Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports.
Pathan has been at the receiving end too, back in 2010 when Dhoni carted him for 16 runs at Dharamsala, to take CSK into the semi-finals. MSD finished the match in just four balls, smashing 4, 2, 6, and 6.
“When he plays for CSK, he enjoys that, his best comes out as a batsman as well. But in this IPL, I am really looking forward to it. All the bowlers, be careful,” Pathan said.
Looking forward to this IPL even more! Bowlers, beware!
Earlier, former BCCI president N Srinivasan has revealed how he used his authority to retain Dhoni as the skipper of the side. India had lost the Test series in Australia by a massive margin of 0-4, and the selection committee had decided to remove Dhoni as skipper from captaincy, without even picking a replacement.
“This was 2011. India had won the World Cup. And (then) in Australia, we didn’t do well in the Tests. So, one of the selectors wanted to remove him (Dhoni) as the ODI captain. The point is, how do you remove him as the ODI captain?
“He had won the World Cup (just a few months ago). They (selectors) had not even thought of who would be his replacement. There was a discussion and then (before the formal meeting) I said there was no way in which he would not be a player,” Srinivasan told.
On this day, 18 years ago, the then 19-year-old Mithali Raj made history in women’s cricket as she scored 214 against England at Taunton in what was the final Test of the tour.
Apart from being the first double century for Indian women in the longest format of the game, it was at that time also the highest Test score in the women’s cricket. The record is now held by Pakistan’s Kiran Baluch who bettered it against West Indies in 2004 with a knock of 242.
Raj, who made her India debut at the age of 16 and scored an unbeaten 114 against Ireland in 1999, was playing in only her third Test match when she created the record by overtaking the previous highest score of 209 not out made by Australia’s Karen Rolton.
Raj batted for 598 minutes and faced a total of 407 balls for her epochal 214. The innings included 14 boundaries.
#OnThisDay in 2002: @M_Raj03 went on to score a record-breaking 214 – the then highest score in an innings in women’s Test – against England Women. 👏
England were heavy favorites for the match as they came into the contest aiming for nothing less than a win after the first match at Shenley was abandoned. India captain Anjum Chopra won the toss and opted to field first. England scored 329 with Laura Newton smashing 98.
India had a tough task on their hands and lost two early wickets as openers Sunetra Paranjpe and Mamatha Maben departed with the scorecard reading just 45, but things were to change forever for Indian cricket as Raj walked out to bat. She was ably assisted by Chopra, Hemlata Kala, and Jhulan Goswami who scored 52, 62, and 62 respectively.
From the other end, the stylish Raj continued scoring runs and brought up her double century on the third day of the match (16 August) and finished the day on 210 not out. The next morning on 17 August, Raj took her score to the record figure of 214 before falling to debutant Isha Guha as India scored 467 and took a lead of 138 runs.
England, however, managed to hold on for a draw after they scored 198/6 in the second innings.
Raj has so far played only 10 Test matches for India, scoring 663 runs at an average of 51. Her last Test came against South Africa in 2014.
Indian former skipper MS Dhoni announced his retirement on August 15 2020 after reaching Chennai to attend the practice camp before leaving to UAE for IPL 2020.
The news stuns almost every cricket fans around the world on hearing this unexpected decision. Every one expects Dhoni to execute his unseen form in the 13th edition of IPL which could pave way for his international return.
But as an unexpected move, MS Dhoni announced his retirement after reaching Chennai which followed by Suresh Raina’s retirement. Which added shock to every cricket fans that too for Indian cricket fans.
BCCI’s Tribute Video for MS Dhoni:
As a tribute, BCCI posted a video of MS Dhoni where his teammates wish for him to get a beautiful and successful second half of his innings.
ICC’s Tribute Video:
Followed by BCCI’s tribute ICC too Posted a video on behalf of his unbreakable record he scripts to India. Which includes the detail of the trophy-winning matches he played for India.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Tweet:
Earlier on hearing this heartbreaking news former Indian cricket Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to express his feelings and wrote as “Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings”.
Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp
Yuvraj Singh shares a huge role along with MS Dhoni in winning the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup for India. His Tweet reads as “Congratulations @msdhoni on a great career! Enjoyed lifting the 2007 and 2011 WC trophies together for our country and our many partnerships on the field. My best wishes to you for the future”.
Congratulations @msdhoni on a great career! Enjoyed lifting the 2007 and 2011 WC trophies together for our country and our many partnerships on the field. My best wishes to you for the future 👍 pic.twitter.com/2g3tgTsLfn
Former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan dies at 73 due to novel coronavirus infection. He played 40 Test matches and seven ODIs between 1969 and 1981, scoring 2,237 runs for India.
He formed a formidable top-order partnership with Sunil Gavaskar, with the duo combining for 3,127 runs at an average of 54.85 in Tests, including 11-century stands. The highlight was their opening stand of 213 at The Oval in 1979 when Gavaskar’s double century set up a famous win for India.
Chauhan, who made his Test debut against New Zealand in 1969 as a 22-year-old, got his first runs off a couple of boundaries. He grew to have a reputation as a doughty batsman. However, he never went on to make a hundred; in fact, only Shane Warne (3,154) has more Test runs than him without a century.
He made at least 50 on 16 occasions, though, with a high score of 97 against Australia in Adelaide in 1981. He was prolific in first-class cricket, reaching 11,143 in 179 matches at an average of 40.22, with 21 centuries.
After his playing career, Chauhan turned to the coach and was manager when India won a famous Test victory against Australia in Kolkata in 2001.
He was active in politics and was serving as a minister in the state government in Uttar Pradesh when he contracted the virus.
Sourav Ganguly Mourns:
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly remembered Chauhan fondly, having played for India while Chauhan was the team manager.
“I am deeply anguished to learn of the passing away of Shri Chetan Chauhan,” Ganguly said in a statement. “I have spent so much time with him when he was the Indian Cricket Team’s manager. Not only was he a tough opening batsman but was a person with a tremendous sense of humor and had a tremendous attachment to Indian cricket. This year needs to be forgotten as it has taken a lot of dear people away. He will always remain with us. May God give strength to his family to overcome this loss.”
The BCCI expresses grief on the passing away of Shri Chetan Chauhan.
A day after MS Dhoni announced his retirement, former BCCI president N Srinivasan has uncovered how he utilized his power to hold him as the captain of the side. India had lost the Test series in Australia by a gigantic edge of 0-4, and the selection board had chosen to expel Dhoni from captaincy, without picking a replacement.
“This was 2011. India had won the World Cup. And (then) in Australia, we didn’t do well in the Tests. So, one of the selectors wanted to remove him (Dhoni) as the ODI captain. The point is, how do you remove him as the ODI captain? He had won the World Cup (just a few months ago). They (selectors) had not even thought of who would be his replacement. There was a discussion and then (before the formal meeting) I said there was no way in which he would not be a player,” Srinivasan told the Indian Express.
“In fact, it was a holiday. I was playing golf. I came back. Sanjay Jagdale was the (BCCI) secretary at that time and he said, ‘Sir, they (selectors) are refusing to choose the captain. They will take him (Dhoni) in the team’. I came and said MS Dhoni (would be the captain). I exercised all my authority as the (BCCI) president.”
Back in 2012, Mohinder Amarnath, who was a member of the selection panel, had spoken about Srinivasan, not agreeing to the “unanimous decision” of sacking Dhoni from captaincy. “The Board president did not approve the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told CNN-IBN in 2012.
India did have a fair share of blips in Tests abroad, under Dhoni, be it Australia or England. But Srinivasan backs his decision.
“See, there was apparently some prejudice somewhere, which reflected. He (Dhoni) has won the World Cup for you. After 1983, India won it again and you say, ‘I don’t want him to be the ODI captain’! Left to them (selectors), they might have (dropped him as a player). I don’t know. I think that was the most unfair (move) and I am glad that I stood my ground.”
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an exceptional person, exceptional cricketer, and a very, very fair person. I have had the privilege of knowing him, moving with him for over a decade. I have in my lifetime met and seen great cricketers, people who had great cricketing skills. MS is an exception. He only thought of India and the team he played for,” Srinivasan said.
“I have seen him in selection committee meetings. Whatever view he expressed was logical, to the point and he never showed any prejudice. I think in this aspect he towered over everybody else. I have come across so many people in business life, sporting life, but it will not be easy to equal his equanimity, poise, and sense of fair play.”
Indian former skipper MS Dhoni made his retirement announcement on August 15, 2020. Dhoni is the only captain to bags all three ICC trophies for India(2007 inaugural T20 World cup, 2011 World Cup, and also Champions Trophy in 2013).
Legendary captain MS Dhoni took his Instagram account to announce this heartbreaking news. Dhoni along with a video captioned: “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired”.
The video also had the iconic song ‘Mai Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu’ from Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ playing in the background.
Dhoni Mentioned as “1929” in his Retirement Post:
After the announcement, many get in confusion about why MS Dhoni mentioned “1929 Hrs” in his retirement post. And his fans start to dig the information out and come up with a reason behind this.
Since India’s semi-final exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 against New Zealand in August last year, MSD did not feature for the Men In Blue.
That was the last time when fans saw him in pitch with the blue jersey where he loses his wicket in an unbelievable run-out against New Zealand. Which changes the game in an instant and left Indian fans in tears.
According to social media speculations, when Dhoni left the pitch for the final time for Team India, the clock showed 19:29 as well. As per the belives from fans, this is the reason why Dhoni decided to refer to that specific timeband in his retirement post.
Though this news spread virally on the internet, TOS found this as fake news by digging into the India vs New Zealand Semifinals match. As per the statement that
19:29: India lost against NewZealand.
19.29: MS Dhoni’s retirement timing found as fake as the match ended earlier the mentioned time.
Source: Crickbuzz
As you can see that the match ended before 3 minutes compared to the mentioned time as the reason for Dhoni to mention that.
What is the real reason then?
First Reason – This is Why MSD Considered as Genius:
The time format is Indian standard time is 7:29 pm which might seem as random for most but Dhoni is not a person to do random things, particularly with numbers.
According to sources close to MSD, reveals that he chooses the time as it was the time of the last sunset in India on August 15. The westernmost point of India – Guhar Moti(alternatively spelled as Ghuar Mota) in Gujarat – is what sees the last sunset in India.
Watch the Reason Why MS Dhoni Mentioned “1929”:
On Saturday, the sunset there at 7:29 pm. “MS wanted to draw the parallel of walking off into the sunset.7:29pm is not random. It is well-thought. Even the way he wrote it – 1929 hrs – is how the military notes time. That is because of his love for the armed forces. That is just how he does things” says a source.
Watch MS Dhoni Respect Towards Military Officers:
Another Reason:
Many pointed out that 1929 was an ‘angel number’ which brings a message that you have completed a major phase or cycle in your life and that has brought closure to projects and ways of doing or ‘being’.
Many cricket fans also correlated the ‘Great Depression 1929’ to MS Dhoni’s retirement at 19:29 on Saturday.
@ap_pune Sir, Dhoni retiring at 19.29 ,🤔 is it indicating 1929 & The Great Depression is coming 😱(as many were expecting in Mar-Apr 2020) !?
— Expert on Everything Joshi (@SamyukthaJoshi) August 16, 2020
After announcing his retirement from international cricket Suresh Raina took his Instagram to thank for the support he received on his carrier. His quotes as follow
“With a lot of mixed feelings, I’m able to make this announcement of my retirement. From a very young age, I was a small boy who had literally lived Cricket on every street, gali, and nukkad of my small town before making it to the Indian team.
All I have known is cricket, all I have done is cricket & it runs through my veins.
There hasn’t been a single day without counting my blessings & without acknowledging everything I have received from god & my people who showered nothing but love on me.
All I strived for was to value those blessings & give me everything in return to my game, to my country & everyone who has been a part of this journey.
I had multiple surgeries, setbacks & moments when I felt that this is it but I didn’t stop or settle for anything which was not justified.
It’s been an incredible ride and it would not have been possible without everyone who supported me during my ups and downs. This journey could not have been possible without the unflinching support and sacrifices of my parents, my loving wife Priyanka, my children Gracia and Rio, my brothers, my sister, and all members of our family. This is all for you.
My Coaches who always showed me the right direction, my Physicians for helping me heal, my trainers for helping me perform at the highest level.
My boys in BLUE, nothing would have been possible without the support of the wonderful India Team in blue. I had the pleasure of playing with the best of the very best players and all of them played for Team India. I feel lucky to have played under the captaincy of some of the best minds in the game Rahul Bhai, Anil Bhai, Sachin Paaji, Chiku, and especially with @mahi7781 for guiding me as a friend and mentor.
Thank you @indiancricketteam and @upcacricket for all the support and making the dreams of a boy from UP wanting to play for team India come true.
And lastly my fans, I am what I am because of the love and adulation that you have showered upon me thru the years.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who supported me in playing International Cricket at the highest level. I’ll always be filled with nothing but gratitude 🙏
Forever, Team India 🇮🇳 Jai Hind ✌️”
As soon as he posted this his IPL teammates Faf du Plessis and Harbhajan Singh replied to his post where South African cricketer Faf du Plessis comment as “@sureshraina3 great career bud. Legend of a man”.
Harbhajan Singh who played with Raina in both IPL and Indian cricket team, comment as “God bless you”.
Indian cricketer MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, a day after reaching Chennai. Dhoni who had numerous records under his name made this decision after a long controversy.
Here we provide Dhoni’s journey starting from his school days to lifting 2011 world cup along with some unknown facts regards him.
MS Dhoni attended DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir in Ranchi. Played badminton & basketball too. Was goalkeeper & once his school coach KR Banerjee asked him if he would like to keep wickets for the cricket team. MS agreed & that’s how his cricketing journey began.
MS Dhoni made a name for himself & was selected in the Bihar U-19 team for Cooch Behar Trophy in 1998-99. In the tournament, Dhoni scored 185 runs in 5 matches at an avg of 37 with 1 fifty! The next year was his last chance of getting in the India U-19 team!
MS Dhoni scored 488 runs in 9 matches in the 1999/00 Cooch Behar Trophy which included 4 fifties! He scored 84 in the final against Punjab. He was hoping to make it in the India U-19 side for the World Cup in Sri Lanka. It was so close, yet so far for MSD.
For the wicket-keeper spot in the squad, it was a three-way race between Ajay Ratra, MS Dhoni, and Amit Deshpande from Vidarbha. MSD was aggressive of the three but didn’t score much in the CK Nayudu Trophy. Ratra made it to the team.
MS Dhoni made his List A & FC debut v Assam at Jamshedpur in 2000. On his FC debut, MSD’s first victim as a ‘keeper was Parag Das who was stumped. 19 years later, MSD caught Parag Das’ son Riyan Parag in the IPL game in Jaipur!
Before Dhoni played for Bihar, he represented Central Coal Limited. MSD scored a double hundred in school match & put 378* with Shabir Hussain. He was picked in CCL under sports quota. MSD would get a monthly stipend of 2K + 200 extra (for being a match-winning player).
Dhoni scored his first FC century at the Eden Gardens against formidable Bengal. MSD scored 195 runs in 4 Ranji Trophy games in the 2000/01 season. He was picked in the East Zone side for the Duleep Trophy game v South Zone in Agartala. MSD came to know about this news very late.
With just 20 hours to go for the game, MSD needed to go from Ranchi to Agartala. MSD couldn’t reach on time & had to miss the game. He went with the team to Pune where MSD first saw Sachin Tendulkar–one of his idols. Sachin even asked MSD for water during the drinks break.
Dhoni moved to Kharagpur as a train ticket examiner. He was part of the South Eastern Railways team. In 2002, MSD went for a selection of the Railways team. The selectors weren’t impressed with his batting or ‘keeping skills.
Dhoni also played tennis ball cricket for Durga Sporting. He learned a helicopter shot (called ‘thappad’ shot) from his childhood friend Santosh Lal. MSD was fond of Santosh’s aggressive batting style. Unfortunately, Santosh succumbed to pancreatitis & died in 2013.
Talent Resource Development Wing was an initiative by the BCCI to fast-tack talent around India. Dhoni was discovered by TRD Officer Prakash Poddar (former Bengal skipper) & his report was sent to the National Cricket Academy. The year 2004 was the turning point in MSD’s life.
Dhoni hit his 1st List A ton v Assam (128*) & hit 114 v CZ in the Deodhar Trophy 2004. His consistent performances earned him a place in the India A team on the tour of Kenya and Zimbabwe. Dhoni hit 2 tons v Pakistan A in the quadrangular series & was Player of the Tournament.
In 2004, Dhoni was part of the Indian side which took part in the Hong Kong Super Sixes. His Indian teammates – Pravin Amre, Subroto Banerjee, Iqbal Siddiqui, Nikhil Chopra, Debasis Mohanty.
Dhoni was included in the Board President XI side v the visiting South Africa at Jaipur. MSD scored 39 in a 3-day game. In Ranji Trophy 2004/05, he scored 48 v J&K, (97, 6*) v Kerala, (128 & 9) v Orissa. His name was announced in the Indian team for the Bangladesh ODI series.
On December 23, 2004, MS Dhoni became India’s 157th ODI cricketer. He made his debut against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He was run-out off the very first delivery in international cricket. MS Dhoni scored 12 & 7* in the next two ODIs. 3 ODIs, 19 runs.
Before MSD made his India debut he was struggling to find sponsors for his cricket kit. His friend Paramjit Singh helped him get a sponsor. In 2004, in an Inter-Railway Cricket tournament in Nagpur, MSD had a great tournament. His name had created a buzz in the cricketing circles.
MSDhoni hit 148 off 56 & 124 off 48 in the tournament. When a photographer asked him to pose Dhoni said: “Mera photo paper mein aaye na aaye, iss bat ka zarur aana chahiye.” Dhoni wanted to make sure his bat logo was clicked by the photographer.
In 2005, Dhoni was part of the India Seniors team led by Sourav Ganguly in the Challenger Trophy. In the game v India B, Seniors needed 276 to win. Dhoni scored 102*(96)–10 fours & 4 sixes–opening the innings.
Dhoni failed in his 4th ODI, scoring just 3 v Pakistan at Kochi. In the four ODIs he batted low down the order. Ganguly had seen MSD’s fearless strokeplay in the Challenger Trophy at the top of the order. Ganguly decided to promote MSD at No.3 in Visakhapatnam.
MS Dhoni scored 148 in his 5th ODI batting at No.3 MSDhoni became the second Indian wicket-keeper to hit a ton in ODIs. The first one–Rahul Dravid — was the non-striker when Dhoni completed the milestone.
In 2005, Dhoni was part of the Bradman XI in Bradman T20 Cup. He opened with Dean Jones v KSCA XI. In the next game v Chemplast Recreation Club he scored 91*(61) opening the innings as Bradman XI chased 133!
In the ODI series v SL, Dhoni scored 183* in Jaipur which included 15 fours & 10 sixes. This is still the highest individual score by ‘keeper in ODIs. Dhoni scored 346 runs in 5 inns & was named the Player of the Tournament-his 1st in international cricket.
MS Dhoni became India’s 251st Test cricketer when he made his debut v Sri Lanka at the Chepauk in 2005. In 2006, playing only his 5th Test, Dhoni scored 148 v Pakistan in Faisalabad. He scored 148 in his 5th ODI v Pakistan as well!.
India lost 4-0 in ODI series v SA, lost the Test series 2-1, and won the one-off T20 match. In 2007, India was knocked out of the 50-over WC with Dhoni getting out on ducks v Ban & SL. A mob of angry fans attacked his new house. But soon there was going to be a big change.
After the senior players decided to take rest, a young team was selected to go to the World T20 in South Africa. MS Dhoni was chosen as the captain of this young side. India won the WT20 & soon things changed for the better.
During the 2008 IPL auction, MS Dhoni was picked by CSK for USD $1.5 million. CSK had in fact kept 1.1 mn USD for MSD but were okay to pay till 1.8 mn USD. This was the highest amount bid for any cricketer in the 2008 IPL auction.
India won the first-ever tri-series in Australia under MS Dhoni. Soon Dhoni became the captain in all three formats. India became the World No.1 in Test cricket in 2009 when they beat Sri Lanka at the CCI. This was a pinnacle of glory for Team India.
During the CCI Test, MSD spotted his old Railways coach. MSD went up to him & asked the coach if there was any problem in his game. The coach had no answers & he passed the buck to the selectors. MSD was rejected by the Railways.
MS Dhoni as a bowler
His only international wicket: Travis Dowlin Dismissed Wriddhiman Saha in the Challenger Trophy 2009 in Nagpur Kevin Pietersen (Lord’s 2011) & Mahela Jayawardene (CT 2013) were given out off MSD’s bowling but the decisions were overturned!.
MSD in IPL
Led Chennai Super Kings to the Playoffs every single IPL season. CSK won the titles in 2010, 2011 and 2018 Played under Suresh Raina in only ONE game for CSK v Yorkshire in Champions League 2012 at Durban.
MS Dhoni, who made his international debut under Sourav Ganguly, did something special for his first captain on his final Test. Dhoni asked Ganguly to lead for a few overs — v Australia at Nagpur in 2008.
NEWEST MEMBER HOLDING THE WINNERS’ TROPHY MS Dhoni would hand over the winning trophy to the newest member of the squad — a tradition which he started & continues. This is followed by Team India even now.
In 2015, Jharkhand beat Railways by 115 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Dhoni wanted to play for the Railways but was rejected in 2002. As per the then Jharkhand physio, Dr. Amit Dubey, MSD was like a debutant eagerly waiting for his turn to bat.
Like this evening, on December 30, 2014, India drew the Boxing Day Test v Aus. MSD attended the press conference & answered the questions normally. After a few mins there was a press release stating MSD’s retirement. This shocked the cricketing world. No one saw that coming!.
MS Dhoni when he stayed unbeaten in ODI run-chase:
Occasions: 50
India won: 47
India lost: 2
Match tied 1
MS Dhoni — Player of the Match in the final of the 2011 World Cup final. Scored an invaluable 91* to see India home after Gambhir set the foundation with his 97. Only captain to win all ICC events – WT20 2007, CWC 2011 & CT 2013.
MS Dhoni in ODIs:
Matches 350 Runs 10773 Average 50.57 Strike Rate 88 100s/50s 10/73 First player to reach 10000+ ODI runs at an average of 50+.
MS Dhoni has two 200+ partnerships in ODIs: 256 with Yuvraj Singh for 4th wicket v England at Cuttack (2017) 218 with Mahela Jayawardene (Asia XI) v Africa XI at Chennai (2007) Highest p’ship in Tests: 259* for 7th wicket with VVS Laxman v SA at Kolkata (2010).
MS Dhoni has played with 107 teammates across formats- 99 Indians & 8 from Asia XI His Asia XI teammates: Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Mohammad Asif, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Rafique, Mohammad Yousuf, Dilhara Fernando & Upul Tharanga.
Captains MS Dhoni has played under in international cricket:
Sourav Ganguly
Rahul Dravid
Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma
Anil Kumble
Virender Sehwag
Mahela Jayawardene
His highest Test score of 224 came against Australia on a rank turner at the Chepauk. His innings comprised 24 fours and 6 sixes! This is the highest individual score by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests.
During the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, the internal flights had a limited number of business class seats and MS Dhoni (the Indian captain) inevitably handed over his seat to the pace bowlers, wrote Sharda Ugra in Cricinfo.
MS Dhoni was quite impressive as No.3 batsman in ODIs. Had great ability to pierce the gaps and played lofted shots too. Quite effective in the middle overs—good player of spin + great runner. Innings of 148 & 183* were special. Could play a big shot at any time.
MS Dhoni Could’ve easily excelled as a No.3 batsman in ODIs. Instead, he did the tough job of batting at 5 & 6. Finished games for India. Adapted so well in the ODIs. Averaging 50+ in ODIs batting at 5/6 is special. MSD & Yuvraj won so many matches for India in the mid-2000s.
MS Dhoni has done charity work and supported the young athletes in the country. He also donated funds for COVID-19.
MSD captaincy record:
ODI Matches 200,
Won 110,
Lost 74,
Tied 5
Tests: Matches 60,
Won 27,
Lost 18,
Draw 15 T
20Is: Matches 72
Won 41 + 1 Bowl out win,
Lost 28
MS Dhoni Awards:
ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2008 & 2009 – the first player to win successive awards.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2007 – second Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive the award.
Padma Bhushan in 2018.
Dhoni’s Career from the beginning:
On ODI debut: Was run-out for a duck Last ODI innings: Was run-out for 50 Between those two innings hit 10773 runs which include 10 tons & 73 fifties. Had the penchant for finishing games with sixes – None better than the six off Kulasekara in WC 2011 final!
MSD’s Unforgettable moments:
Took off his right glove & beat Mustafizur of Bangladesh — such a street smart cricketer.
Even in WT20 2007 nominated Harbhajan, Sehwag & Uthappa for the bowl-out v Pakistan. Tactically astute
Finally, MS Dhoni made the billions of dreams come true by lifting the ICC World cup for India after 28 years in 2011 with an impressive smile in his face.
“Dhoni finishes off in style!”
MSD announced retirement from all formats in international cricket
Runout in his first match Vs Bangladesh
Runout in his final match Vs NZ
