MS Dhoni Just Entered The ICC Hall Of Fame, Know What He’s Built On And Off The Field

Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 13:10

You don't need to be a cricket fanatic to know the name MS Dhoni aka Captain Cool. He's the man who made calm look cool, rewrote the rulebook on captaincy, and finished matches with a six like it was just another day at the office. And now, the boy from Ranchi has officially joined cricketing royalty - inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

Photo Credit: PTI

It's not just an honour; it's a full-circle moment for a player who redefined what was possible in Indian cricket and inspired a generation far beyond the boundary lines.

The Induction That Says It All

At a ceremony in London, Dhoni's name was added to a list of cricket's most respected. He's the 11th Indian cricketer to be included, joining the company of Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and others who shaped different chapters of the game. Dhoni spoke of being "grateful," and how this moment was something he'd carry with him.

Dhoni's Way : Clear Thinking, Clean Wins

Dhoni's achievements as captain often get listed like stats on a screen - T20 World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013. But what stood out was his way of operating. No fuss. No sideline drama.

He backed new players when others hesitated. He took big decisions without building a narrative around them. And he almost never explained himself in post-match interviews. It frustrated some, but it worked. India played differently under him and you could sense it.

The Wicketkeeper Who Rewrote The Role

Wicketkeeping wasn't supposed to be stylish. Until Dhoni. He made stumpings look like sleight of hand. He didn't dive unless he had to, didn't chatter behind the stumps for the sake of it, and still racked up 829 dismissals in international cricket.

Then there's the 183 not out against Sri Lanka - still the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper. He chased totals with the same approach he used everywhere else: calculate, wait, and then take the risk when the odds are tilted.

The T20 That Changed Everything

Back in 2007, when Dhoni was named captain for the inaugural T20 World Cup, senior players had opted out. Expectations were low. The team was new. By the end of that tournament, India had won the title, Pakistan had been beaten in the final, and Dhoni had shown that leadership doesn't need a résumé - just instinct and clarity.

The format took off. So did India's confidence in it. That win did something few had predicted at the time: it made Indian cricket faster, younger, and more adaptable.

The Test Captain Who Knew His Limits

In Tests, Dhoni took India to the No.1 ranking by late 2009. He wasn't always praised for his overseas record, but he did what he could within the system and spoke honestly about what didn't work.

His standout performances weren't classical - they were stubborn, unflinching. The double century against Australia. The holding innings at Lord's. A captain's job done without over-performance.

Beyond Cricket : The Man Who's Always Been Strategic

By now, Dhoni's business side is well-known. He co-founded SEVEN, invested in CARS24, owns stakes in Chennaiyin FC (football) and Ranchi Rays (hockey), and appears in ads for everything from paint to petrol.

His choices have range but follow a pattern: back something he believes in, stay involved, keep control of the narrative. He doesn't chase the limelight - he simply remains in it.

The Garage That Speaks Louder Than Words

Dhoni's obsession with motorcycles isn't a media story - it's who he is. Over 100 bikes. A collection that spans decades, from the Yamaha RD350 to the X132 Hellcat. He's known to take them out for rides in Ranchi without security or attention.

This isn't post-retirement indulgence. He was doing this before India won a World Cup. It's always been there just like cricket.

Still Rooted, Still Watching

He lives in Ranchi, runs a school there, and keeps his base away from the noise. His IPL contract continues - ₹4 crore for 2025 but that's not the headline anymore.

He's earned over ₹100 crore a year from endorsements, built a brand without selling out, and still manages to avoid saying anything unnecessary. His version of presence is low-volume, high-impact.

A Career That Doesn't Need Explaining

538 matches. Over 17,000 international runs. Dozens of moments that fans have rewatched a hundred times. But Dhoni was never about statistics. He was about timing, knowing when to speak, when to act, when to stop.