Former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel and Aakash Chopra on Tuesday wished former India captain MS Dhoni on his 45th birthday, paying tribute to his remarkable career and enduring legacy.
Dhoni's journey has long been regarded as one of the most inspiring stories in Indian sport. From working as a ticket collector in the Indian Railways to becoming one of India's most successful captains, he led the national team to memorable triumphs in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
Raina, who shared one of Indian cricket's most successful partnerships with Dhoni, said his legacy extends far beyond statistics and records, praising him for inspiring generations of cricketers and fans.
"Happy Birthday, @msdhoni Mahi bhai! Your legacy will never be defined by records alone, but by the countless lives you've inspired and the belief you've given to so many. Grateful to have shared this journey with you. Wishing you happiness, good health, and many more years of smiles. Stay blessed forever," Raina wrote in a post on X.
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Chopra also paid tribute to the former skipper, describing him as a player who defined an entire era of Indian cricket rather than simply winning matches and trophies. "Some players win matches. Some win trophies. MS Dhoni won an era. Happy Birthday Maahi #MSDhoni," Chopra posted on X.
Munaf Patel also extended his wishes, hailing Dhoni as both a gentleman and one of the greatest players the game has produced. "Wishing you a Healthy life ahead, Mahi Bhai. Such a Gentleman and a Legend @msdhoni," Patel wrote on X.
With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals behind the stumps and 538 appearances across formats, Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters in cricket history. He is also credited with transforming India's approach to limited-overs cricket through his calm leadership and tactical acumen.
In 350 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Dhoni scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, including 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries, with an unbeaten 183 as his highest score. He remains India's sixth-highest run-scorer in ODIs, with Sachin Tendulkar leading the list with 18,426 runs.
Across 98 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), Dhoni accumulated 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60 and a strike rate of 126.13, registering two half-centuries with a highest score of 56.
In the longest format, Dhoni represented India in 90 Tests, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09. He registered six centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 224, and remains India's 14th-highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
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