Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns 39 on Tuesday, and wishes for the former India captain have flooded social media as former and current teammates and fans took to Twitter to mark his birthday.
#HappyBirthdayDhoni, #HappyBirthdayMahi and #MahendraSinghDhoni were the top hashtags trending on the social media platform on Tuesday.
It is no wonder that Dhoni enjoys such adoration from his fans and teammates alike. He is one of the most successful captains Indian cricket has seen. Dhoni is the only captain to win all three ICC trophies—the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Describing Dhoni as their ‘best friend’, ‘favourite leader’ and ‘amazing human being’, several of his teammates wished the World Cup-winning captain on his special day.
Here are some of the special tweets in honour of the birthday boy:
One man, countless moments of joy! 🇮🇳🙌
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 6, 2020
Let’s celebrate @msdhoni's birthday by revisiting some of his monstrous sixes! 📽️💪#HappyBirthdayDhoni
Once in a generation, a player comes and a nation connects with him, think of him as a member of their family, kuch bahut apna sa lagta hai. Happy Birthday to a man who is the world ( Dhoni-ya ) for his many admirers. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/T9Bj7G32BI
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 7, 2020
A small try to make your birthday little more special. My best friend, teammate and captain, Happy Birthday Mahi Bhai @msdhoni
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) July 7, 2020
Thank You @InsideCricket07 for making it happen. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/xfiakfh8Ai
Many more happy returns of the day to a man whose composure and patience continues to be an inspiration. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/h1EXP6aohR
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 7, 2020
Happy bday to a legend, an inspiration to me and many more. Have a good one Mahi bhai 🎂🤗 pic.twitter.com/ozEZBYjn9r
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) July 7, 2020
Happy b'day Mahi bhai. Wish you good health and happiness always. God bless you 🙏😃 pic.twitter.com/i9zR4Zb5A3
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 7, 2020
Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday @msdhoni 🇮🇳✅☝️! to one of my favorite human, brother & a leader I could ever ask for! The man who has always played with his mind and heart. Thank you for all the inspiration Dhoni Bhai 🤘🤗 pic.twitter.com/72eoMM7qwg
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) July 6, 2020
Cooling off with Mr Cool. Happy birthday @msdhoni. pic.twitter.com/fZQgGGRcD4
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 7, 2020
Here's to our Lion King, enga #Thala @msdhoni, the only one, the super one! #HappyBirthdayDhoni #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/h7OshoAIMu
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 6, 2020
Dhoni is the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2007), the Padma Shri (2009) and the Padma Bhushan (2018) for his contribution to sport.
MSD has played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is in his career. He has scored 4,876 runs, including six centuries and 33 fifties in Tests, before retiring from the longest format in 2014.
In ODIs, Dhoni has amassed 10,773 runs, which includes 10 centuries and 73 fifties, and 1,617 runs in T20Is. He stepped down as ODI and T20 captain in 2017. As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni has taken a total of 634 catches and has a world-record 195 stumpings to his name in international cricket. His 123 stumpings in ODIs is also a world record.
The former captain, however, is yet to play an international match since India’s semifinal defeat against New Zealand in the World Cup last year. He is expected to return to cricket when he leads Chennai Super Kings in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League which is likely to be organised outside India later this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
