MS Dhoni inducted into ICC Hall of Fame, joins cricketing greats

Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been formally inducted into the prestigious ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, a landmark honour that acknowledges not only his stellar on-field records but also his enduring legacy as one of the most transformative figures in the sport’s history.

Often revered as "Captain Cool", Dhoni's induction celebrates a career that redefined modern cricketing leadership, elevated India's global stature, and inspired a new era of fearless cricket. His calm demeanour, tactical genius, and unparalleled achievements have earned him a place alongside cricket’s most revered legends.

Making his international debut in December 2004, Dhoni’s early career gave little indication of the greatness to follow — he was dismissed for a duck via run-out. But within months, he lit up the cricketing world with a thunderous 148 against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam, followed by an unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka, which remains the highest score by a wicketkeeper in men’s ODIs.

A revolutionary wicketkeeper-batter, Dhoni reimagined the lower middle-order with his blend of composure and brute force. With 538 international matches, over 17,000 runs, and 829 dismissals to his name, Dhoni's statistical legacy is staggering. Yet, it is his intangible impact — his mindset, composure, and trailblazing captaincy — that sets him apart.

His captaincy era began with the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, where he led a young Indian side to victory in a thrilling final against Pakistan. The win was pivotal in reigniting national confidence after the disappointing 2007 ODI World Cup and served as the bedrock for India’s domination in limited-overs formats.

In 2011, Dhoni cemented his place in Indian sporting folklore by leading India to a historic ODI World Cup triumph on home soil. Promoting himself up the order in the final against Sri Lanka, he played a match-winning knock of 91*, capped with a now-iconic six into the Mumbai night sky — a moment etched in the heart of every cricket fan.

Two years later, in 2013, he completed a unique treble by guiding India to the ICC Champions Trophy title in England, becoming the first and only captain to win all three major ICC white-ball tournaments.

Though his leadership in limited-overs formats is often most celebrated, Dhoni’s contributions in Test cricket were equally significant. Under his captaincy, India reached the No.1 ranking in Tests for the first time in 2009. He produced a standout double century — 224 against Australia in Chennai — and played critical roles in India’s rare overseas successes, including the historic 2007 Test series win in England.

Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2014, and from all international formats in 2020, with his final match being the heart-breaking 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand. Yet, his legacy continues — particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he still captains the Chennai Super Kings with his trademark composure.

Responding to the ICC’s honour, Dhoni said:

“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’s influence transcends statistics. He reshaped India’s cricketing culture, mentored a generation of future stars, and became a symbol of grace under pressure. His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is not just a celebration of a career, but the acknowledgement of an era — the Dhoni era.