Just a day ago, one of India's most successful cricket captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, made a heart-breaking announcement in an Instagram post that left cricket enthusiasts around the globe stunned. “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout," Dhoni wrote. "From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.” The message, which came accompanied by a heart-warming montage of Dhoni's most memorable moments on the field, marked the end of the 16-year-long career of the former captain of the Indian cricket team. Messages full of love and gratitude came pouring in instantly from friends and fans including Ranveer Singh, Preity Zinta, Dia Mirza and hundreds more.
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Not only has the 39-year-old left behind an extraordinary legacy that can be paralleled with the likes of cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Kapil Dev, Dhoni is also a much-loved personality for his down-to-earth, dedicated nature, his unpredictable hobbies, and his cute love story. Scroll through to learn 10 facts about MS Dhoni that make him unique.
1. MS Dhoni used to work for the Indian railways before he began playing professional cricket
If you've watched MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, you may already know this one. Just like many successful personalities who happen to emerge from varying backgrounds, Dhoni had an unexpected career before he ventured into the cricket world. From 2001 to 2003, he worked as a Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) at the Kharagpur Railway Station under South Eastern Railway in Midnapore.
2. He was discovered in a small talent spotting event in 2003
The player got his big break at a cricket match in Jamshedpur in 2003, as part of BCCI's small-town talent-spotting initiative.
3. Cricket wasn't always his calling— Dhoni also experimented with football and badminton
Before pursuing full-time cricket, the athlete used to serve as a goalkeeper for his school's football team and has even tried his hand at badminton.
4. He is the only player to have won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award twice
Adding to MS Dhoni's long list of career highlights is the fact that he is the only player in history to win the International Cricket Council's (ICC) ODI Player of the Year award twice—both in 2008 and 2009.
5. The sportsman has an envy-worthy collection of bikes amounting to crores of rupees
MS Dhoni reportedly bought his first bike for Rs 4,500. Today, he is the owner of a multi-crore garage which holds everything from vintage pieces to much-loved latest models.
6. In fact, he even co-owns a motorcycle racing team with Telugu film star Akkineni Nagarjuna
Called the Mahi Racing team, the group is the country's first World Superbike team.
7. MS Dhoni met wife Sakshi Dhoni in Kolkata during a match against Pakistan
According to The Hindustan Times, the couple was introduced through MS Dhoni's manager at a chance meeting at the Taj Bengal. Sakshi immediately caught his eye, and he was the one to first text his now-wife.
8. Did you know the meaning behind Dhoni's daughter's name?
Now five years old, Ziva Dhoni is a social media star in her own right. Her name has three meanings: radiance, brilliance, or light of God, and is a variant of the Hebrew word ‘Ziv’.
9. The cricketer has also earned title of ‘Lieutenant Colonel’
On November 1, 2011, MS Dhoni became the second cricket player after Kapil Dev to earn the honorary title, conferred upon him by The Indian Territorial Army.
10. MS Dhoni's trademark ‘Helicopter Shot’ was taught to him by his former teammate and close friend
That signature shot everyone loves wasn't actually invented by Dhoni. It passed on to him by his childhood friend and former Jharkhand teammate, Santosh Lal, a fact that was revealed in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.
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26 pictures and videos that take you inside cricketer MS Dhoni's Ranchi farmhouse
