Three letters, one number, the legend. If one person can inspire so many, it’s because MS Dhoni has been a captain, batsman and wicket keeper like none other. What he brings to the team can possibly never be replaced and we hope that the day never comes. But that’s enough talk about Dhoni not playing, let’s take a look at some of our favourite moments as fans watching Thala take the field by storm.And let's see what the greats of the game have to say about our all time favourite captain.

We all remember the days when a young Dhoni with his stylish mane was slowly becoming one of the most talked about batsman. And in 2005 he played a special innings that no fan will ever be able to forget. On that day, October 31st, Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 183 from 145 balls (not out), with 15 fours and 10 sixes. That was just the beginning stage of a batsman who will never be forgotten. 

Skip to 5 years later to 2010, CSK’s first IPL win. Needless to say the captain led from the front. Dhoni has always spoken about his love for Chennai Super Kings, and we Chennaiites have never hidden how much we love him back. In the 2010 IPL, with CSK needing a win to qualify and chasing a high score of 193 made by KXIP, there was only one man who could do the job. Not only did Dhoni score 54 from 29 balls, he also finished the match with two balls to spare, hitting 16 off four deliveries. And when Dhoni finishes off a match with a huge six, what more can a fan ask for? 

We saw a bit of what Dhoni can do with the bat. Now let’s come to the gloves department. Though the ICC World T20 in 2016 didn’t end as we would have liked, this one match between Bangladesh and India will always be remembered. The match came quite close with Bangladesh chasing 146 and needing 11 runs to win in the last over with 6 wickets down. When it came down to 2 needed from 1 ball, we were all pretty tense. But when Dhoni is on field anything is possible. The presence of mind he showed in the game sprinting towards the stumps and getting the batsman run out instead of aiming to hit the stumps from far, is what sets him a class apart. 

Next we have the 2013 Tri-Series Final Match between India and Sri Lanka. 15 runs from 6 balls to win. Dhoni on strike and Ishant Sharma at the other end. After no run in the first delivery, Dhoni went on to hit a huge six and a four bringing it down to 5 from 3. And then of course there’s no way to go other than to hit another six and win the tournament. Magnificent Mahendra indeed! 

There are enough and more examples that show Dhoni’s lightning fast reaction time behind the stumps. We’re now going to look at one of MSD’s best catches which came in the third Paytm ODI between West Indies and India in 2018. Chandrapaul Hemraj hit the ball quite a distance away from the keeper. But maybe he forgot it was Dhoni behind the stumps. Dhoni sprinted all the way and dived, taking an absolute stunner of a catch. There is honestly nothing beyond him.

The 2018 IPL marked an emotional and much-awaited CSK comeback after two years. Fans were more geared up than ever showering tons of love on their team. And Dhoni gave us just what we wanted throughout the tournament, lifting the cup for the third time. Let’s look at one match against rivals RCB where his batting made us brim with joy. With 206 runs needed to win, Dhoni came in at a stage where the team was at 75-4. A six in the second ball marked the start of MSD’s attack which continued till the very last ball. He hit 7 sixes and one four making 70 from just 34 balls, leading the team to a stellar victory. And again it was a last ball six by Dhoni which ended the game, leaving us fans ecstatic. 

And finally we have come to the seventh moment, one which the whole country will remember. After a 28 year wait, Dhoni made the dreams of millions come true in the 2011 World Cup Finals. India needed 275 runs to win against Sri Lanka. Though Gautam Gambhir contributed greatly with an impressive 97, the team needed someone to finish things up. And when it comes to finishing, there’s no one who can do it better than Dhoni, the then Indian Captain. I don’t think we can ever forget that moment, seeing that six and Dhoni twirling his bat. And these words will be etched in our memory forever: “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lift the World Cup after 28 years. The party has started in the dressing room. And it’s an Indian Captain who has been absolutely magnificent in the night of the final.” 

It was very difficult to pick out just these 7 special moments from the countless ones that Dhoni has provided us with. His performances will never be forgotten. Hope that we have the privilege of seeing our Thala on field in the classic blue and yellow forever and forever. On this special day, here’s wishing the one and only Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a very happy birthday. 

Not only has he made July 7th a date that everyone will remember, he has also made the nation proud.