Autobiography of MS Dhoni

 

Autobiography of MS Dhoni

Early Life

I was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), India. My father, Pan Singh, worked in junior management positions in MECON, and my mother, Devaki Devi, was a homemaker. I grew up with my brother, Narendra Singh Dhoni, and my sister, Jayanti Gupta. From an early age, I was passionate about sports. Though I initially excelled in badminton and football, playing as a goalkeeper for my school team, it was cricket that ultimately became my true calling.

The Journey Begins

My journey in cricket began in the most unassuming way. It was my school coach, Keshav Ranjan Banerjee, who spotted my potential as a wicketkeeper during a football game. His decision to include me in the cricket team was a turning point. I honed my skills at the Commando Cricket Club and later played for the Central Coalfields Limited team. My unique style of wicketkeeping and unorthodox batting caught the attention of selectors, leading to my selection for the Bihar U-19 team and subsequently the East Zone U-19 squad.

 Breaking Through

In 2003, I made a bold decision to join the Indian Railways as a ticket collector at Kharagpur station, balancing work with my cricketing ambitions. My performances in domestic cricket, especially my back-to-back centuries in the 2003-04 Deodhar Trophy, were hard to ignore. The turning point came in 2004 when I was selected for the India A team for a tour of Kenya. My explosive batting and consistent wicketkeeping earned me a spot in the national team.

 International Debut and Rise

I made my ODI debut against Bangladesh in December 2004, but it was my fifth match, against Pakistan in April 2005, where I announced myself with a blistering 148. The innings was a revelation, showcasing my ability to change the course of a game. This was followed by a remarkable 183* against Sri Lanka in October 2005, cementing my place in the team.

 Captaincy and Leadership

In 2007, I was handed the reins of the Indian T20 team for the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup. Leading a young and inexperienced team, we emerged victorious, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. The success in the T20 World Cup led to my appointment as the ODI and Test captain. Under my leadership, India achieved significant milestones, including the No. 1 Test ranking, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, and the crowning glory, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory on home soil. That winning six at Wankhede Stadium remains one of the highlights of my career.

 IPL and Chennai Super Kings

Parallel to my international career, I led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. My tenure with CSK has been marked by multiple IPL and Champions League T20 titles, establishing the team as one of the most successful franchises in the league. My bond with CSK and its fans remains incredibly strong, reflecting my commitment and passion for the game.

 Personal Life

Off the field, my life took a beautiful turn when I married Sakshi Singh Rawat on July 4, 2010. We were blessed with a daughter, Ziva, in February 2015. My family has been my pillar of strength, supporting me through the highs and lows of my career.

 Retirement and Legacy

I announced my retirement from Test cricket in December 2014 to focus on the limited-overs formats. On August 15, 2020, I bid adieu to international cricket, leaving behind a legacy of 10,773 runs in ODIs and numerous records as a wicketkeeper and captain. My journey from a small-town boy to leading the nation to historic victories is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of my fans.

 Beyond Cricket

Post-retirement, I have ventured into various fields, including business and sports management. My love for sports continues, and I remain involved with CSK, aiming to mentor young talents. My biographical film, "M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story," released in 2016, gave fans a glimpse into my life and struggles, portraying my journey from Ranchi to international stardom.

Cricket has given me everything I could have ever dreamed of, and I hope my story inspires countless others to chase their dreams with passion and determination.