MS Dhoni inducted to ICC Hall of Fame

Former India cricketer and legendary captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, or MS Dhoni, has been inducted to the Hall of Fame by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, June 9. Dhoni, who led India to three ICC titles - T20 World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, and Champions Trophy 2013, has been honoured as a mark of his unforgettable contributions to the international arena.

Dhoni, who played 538 international matches, debuted in a One-Day International against Bangladesh at Chattogram in 2004 and played his last in international kits in July 2019 against New Zealand during the semi-final of that year's World Cup at Manchester, where he also top-scored for the Men in Blue. On August 15, 2020, the Ranchi-born had decided to step away from international cricket, in a career studded with unimaginable accolades.

In his first global event as captain, Dhoni led India to the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, as they beat Pakistan in a nail-biting final to clinch the title. In his first-ever ODI World Cup as captain in 2011 - Dhoni hit the winning runs for India in the final against Sri Lanka - a hit over the long-on region, which is etched in the memories of Indian cricket faithful. A little over two years later, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter then led India to the Champions Trophy 2013 win, making him one of the most successful skippers in cricket, not just for India, but across the world.

The event where he was formally inducted to ICC Hall of Fame took place in London on June 9 at 9:00 PM IST. Jay Shah, the honorary chairman of the ICC, expressed his words on the induction of Dhoni and six other legendary cricketers to the elite list. The others who were added to the list include - Daniel Vettori (New Zealand); Sana Mir (Pakistan), Matthew Hayden (Australia), Hashim Amla and Greame Smith (South Africa).

“Inducting legends into the ICC Hall of Fame is our way of honouring the game’s most extraordinary contributors. This accolade is reserved exclusively for those whose achievements have left an indelible mark on the sport, and each selection is made purely on merit,” Shah said ahead of the gracious event.

What is ICC Hall of Fame?

The ICC Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to the extraordinary achievements of cricket legends who have shaped the sport's rich and vibrant history, inducts players only five years after they played their last international match.

The ICC Hall of Fame was launched in January 2009 in association with the World Cricketers Association (WCA), which was then known as the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA), as part of the ICC's centenary year celebrations.

The initial intake of inductees were the 55 players named in the FICA Hall of Fame, which ran between 1999 and 2003, with new names added each year starting from 2009.

The last induction was carried out in October 2024, when England’s Alastair Cook, South Africa’s AB de Villiers, and Indian woman player Neetu David received their well-deserved recognition.