The number 7 jersey became synonymous with legendary cricketer MS Dhoni ever since he wore it for the first time when he made his debut for the Indian team in 2007.

In a recent virtual event organized by the owners of Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni revealed why he chose to wear the number 7 jersey and continues to do so to this day. Claiming that there isn’t any superstitious reason behind the same, the former Indian captain said, “A lot of people initially thought that 7 is a lucky number for me and all of that. But I chose the number for a very simple reason.”

“I was born on the 7th of July. So it's the 7th day of the 7th month, that was the reason. Rather than getting to all the different things as to what number is a good number and all, I thought I will use my date of birth as the number. Then whenever people kept asking me, I kept adding to the answer. 81 was the year, 8-1 is again 7, 7 is a very neutral number. People actually kept telling me, I started absorbing it and I started telling it to others in the same way.

He added, “A lot of people said 7 is a neutral number and even if it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t really go against you. That also I added to my answer. I am not very superstitious about it, but it’s one number that is close to my heart and I have kept it over the years with me.” Dhoni will be leading CSK yet again in the upcoming edition of IPL. The team will play its first match of the tournament against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 26.