MS Dhoni Turns 45: Cricket Fraternity and FIFA World Cup Pay Tribute

Former India captain MS Dhoni, widely regarded as the best finisher in modern cricket, celebrated his 45th birthday on Tuesday, prompting a wave of heartfelt tributes from across the sporting world on social media.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Joins the Celebrations

In a unique crossover moment, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Instagram account shared a picture featuring Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland — each with seven goals in the ongoing tournament — captioned, "7 Goals. Thala for a reason. Happy Thala Day," a nod to Dhoni's iconic No. 7 jersey and his "Thala" nickname, coined by Chennai Super Kings fans.

BCCI and Cricketers Lead the Tributes

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla shared a picture with MS Dhoni, calling him "a true icon of Indian cricket whose leadership and legacy continue to inspire millions." Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan posted a photo from India's 2013 Champions Trophy win, praising Dhoni's "calmness under pressure." Former batter Aakash Chopra wrote, "Some players win matches. Some win trophies. MS Dhoni won an era."

BCCI Highlights a Career by the Numbers

The BCCI marked the occasion with a graphic detailing Dhoni's remarkable career stats: 538 international matches, 17,266 international runs, and 829 international dismissals behind the stumps, alongside his status as the winning captain of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007, ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2011, and ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

His IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, released a tribute video with the caption, "A hero who became a way of life. A legacy that lives through every generation."

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A Career Defined by Three ICC Trophies

MS Dhoni made his international debut in 2004 and went on to become one of India's most revered sporting icons. The defining moments of his 15-year international career were leading India to three ICC titles — the T20 World Cup (2007), the 50-over World Cup (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013). Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has continued to captivate fans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has won five titles.