Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: When a Navy officer requested India’s captain to make him an astronaut

Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns 42 today, but his international retirement in 2020 hasn’t diminished the craze and appreciation for him in the slightest. Even at the age of 41, a few months before his 42nd birthday, Dhoni guided Chennai Super. The Kings (CSK) are basically playing the entire tournament on one leg for a record fifth time in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

An incident highlights Dhoni’s ‘demi-god’ status in this country ever since he took over the Indian captaincy in 2007. A few years back, when Dhoni was still the captain of the Indian cricket team, a man – who was a naval officer – came up to Dhoni and said, “Dhoni sir, I want to be India’s next astronaut.” They are now planning to choose one. I have been a test pilot and have logged many hours of flight. I’m the right man. Please, please speak to Sunita Williams. He is also a naval officer like me. If you talk to them they will choose me,” reads an excerpt from Bharat Sundaresan’s book ‘The Dhoni Touch’.

Excerpts from the book state, “On his way out, back in the car, Dhoni used to ask Colonel Shankar, ‘Sir, who is this Sunita Williams?’

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Fans hold him so high that they believe anyone in this country can become an ‘astronaut’ if Dhoni utters a word! This ‘Dhoni Madness’ has not diminished in the last few years, but has only grown stronger with each passing day.

MS Dhoni’s memorable IPL 2023

The biggest question and possibly the worry on every fan’s mind was whether IPL 2023 was going to be Dhoni’s swansong – will Dhoni finally call it quits. But after playing the entire tournament with an injured knee, which he later got operated upon after the IPL 2023 final in Mumbai, it is anyone’s guess when Dhoni will retire from the T20 league.

IPL 2023 proved once again that Dhoni can not only hold his own with the bat but can also lead from the front. Even at the age of 41, Dhoni has managed to maintain a strike-rate of over 182 against the best bowlers in the world – including the likes of Mark Wood, who hit 10 sixes in the third Ashes Test on Thursday.

Dhoni’s dismissal for a duck in the IPL 2023 final against Gujarat Titans was a huge disappointment. For the first time in the dug-out, one could feel that Dhoni was not ‘Captain Cool’ or calm. There was tension in his eyes and demeanor as 10 runs were required off the last 2 balls. But Ravindra Jadeja proved to be the hero that day and Dhoni, who rarely shows emotion on the field, carried his partner on his shoulder, probably standing on one leg himself!

A day before Dhoni’s birthday on Thursday, his fans in Hyderabad have reportedly put up a huge 52 feet tall cut-out in the city. Pictures of Dhoni’s cutout have already been shared on social media.

A 52 feet giant cutout of MS Dhoni has been installed in Hyderabad, Telangana. ,

the celebration begins__@M S Dhoni #M S Dhoni #whistlepodoo pic.twitter.com/Gnb7gP18UR

— DHONIism_ __ (@DHONIism) 6 July 2023

Dhoni remains the only international captain to have won 3 separate ICC titles – 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy – the last of which was an ICC trophy won by Team India.

He scored 4876 runs in 90 Tests with 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries, including a double century. Dhoni scored 10773 runs in 350 ODIs with the help of 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries and his personal best score was 183 runs. In the shortest format (T20Is), Dhoni scored 1617 runs in 98 T20Is for India with two fifties.

happy birthday to my elder brother @M S Dhoni , _ From sharing pitches to sharing our dreams, the bond we have created is unbreakable. Your strength as both a leader and a friend has been my guiding force. May the coming year bring you happiness, success and good health. Keep_ pic.twitter.com/0RJXCKEz7B— Suresh Raina__ (@ImRaina) 6 July 2023

An innings of 148 against Pakistan in Vizag or 183 not out against Sri Lanka in Jaipur put Dhoni on the map in international cricket and only three years into his international career, he was dropped from the Indian team following the 2007 ODI World defeat. The reins were handed over. cup.

He led India to victory in the World T20 in 2007 and the CB Series the following year. He later took over the Test captaincy in 2008 and led memorable series wins over Australia, England and New Zealand as India became No.1 in the format.

But Dhoni’s legacy goes beyond statistics and numbers and will continue to grow years after his IPL retirement.