Happy Birthday to India's Superstar MS Dhoni

Captain Cool. Maverick Genius. Prodigy of wicket-keeping. Man with the Midas Touch. Thala. The Finisher. Lightning speed Stumpings. Legend.

So many synonyms, yet it is difficult to completely define the phenomenon that's MS Dhoni. Born in a small town on this day, almost two years before India's maiden World Cup victory in 1983, the odds were always stacked up against him. Yet he not only made it into the Indian team but also established himself as one of the all-time greats in cricketing history. He carved out his own space for Ranchi on India's map.

An illustrious career that oversaw 17,266 runs, 359 sixes, and 829 dismissals across formats. A successful captaincy stint spanning a decade that saw India winning the inaugural T20 World Cup held in South Africa without their star players then or winning the 50-over World Cup after 28 years of wait or the Champions Trophy win without a single loss in the tournament.

2007 T20 World Cup 🏆
2009 ICC Test Mace 🏆
2011 World Cup 🏆
2013 Champions Trophy 🏆

There are skippers, there are leaders and then there's MS Dhoni ❤️#HBDIconOfMillionsDhoni #MSDhoni #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/MWD5xVU5oW

— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) July 6, 2022

Dhoni scored runs, did some fantastic glove work, and captained India like no one else ever did, but it were his unconventional methods that brought him to the spotlight. Giving Joginder Sharma the last over, dropping three big players for the 2008 Tri-Series in Australia, promoting himself at number five in a World Cup final even though he was out of form, backing youngsters to the hilt, tactics in the Champions Trophy final and his sync with spinners.

It didn't always work his way. His methods managed to baffle the best of experts as they didn't end up being successful every time. India lost a barrage of overseas Tests under him. Many people, including his former teammates, often questioned his tactics, but that didn't change him. He was unbothered by detractors and cared less about his perception from the outside. MSD was always in his own hymn.

When he realised that the Test format was not his forte and a young Kohli looked all set to take over the reins, he not only stepped down but also retired from the format to prolong his limited-overs career. Not that he was bad in the traditional format, but India required his services more in the shorter forms of the game. India successfully underwent a transition period under MS. 

He may have lost his peak with the bat in his final years but continued to be a match-winner in the side. He had quit captaincy but was always a helping hand for Kohli, whether it was during tense situations or while taking the DRS. His inputs for the bowlers from behind the stumps were constant. He had even mastered the mentoring role in the Indian dressing room.

There was a reason why a generation that used to switch off the television post Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal was glued to the TV screen during the 2019 World Cup semis till MS Dhoni was at the crease. Because he taught them that miracles do happen, even though it didn't that day, the belief still exists.

He has retired from international cricket, but we still have the liberty of watching him for two months every year. He may not have got a farewell like Sachin Tendulkar, but every time he walks out to bat in the IPL, the rousing reception he gets from the crowd is nothing less of a big thank you to him for his contribution to the sport.

Is he still good enough when it comes to the IPL? Well, no one really cares because even at the age of 40, MS continues to give glimpses of his tryst with last-over finishes. He still does a decent job behind the stumps than many current wicket-keepers. CSK also don't have a better decision-maker in their ranks at the moment. Also, listening to him during tosses and post-match presentations is always fun and insightful. So the only answer is to enjoy it all till it lasts.

Happy Birthday, MS Dhoni.