India’s cricket icon MS Dhoni reacts emotionally after joining the ICC Hall of Fame, calling the honour a tribute to generations of cricketers and the love of fans.
At Abbey Road Studios in London, a place known more for Beatles records than cricketing records, something quietly magical unfolded. Seven cricket legends were honoured and officially immortalised into the ICC Hall of Fame. Among them stood Mahendra Singh Dhoni — cool as ever, smiling softly, speaking with measured humility. But for fans, that moment was anything but quiet.
It was history. A history built on helicopter shots, last-over miracles, and one man’s unmatched calm in a billion storms.
A Rare Club, A Giant Among Them
MS Dhoni is now officially a part of an elite global club. With over 17,000 international runs and a trophy cabinet that would make even the most decorated captains look twice, the former India skipper has been a long-standing favourite for this recognition.
The induction came during “A Day with the Legends,” an event crafted by the ICC to celebrate the past, present, and enduring spirit of cricket. Joining Dhoni in this year’s class were South Africa’s Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, Australia’s Matthew Hayden, England’s Sarah Taylor, and Pakistan’s Sana Mir.
For Dhoni, though, this wasn’t just another feather in his cap.
“This game has given me everything. To be included in a group like this, with players I played with and against, is something deeply personal,” he said in a brief but moving interaction.
The Only One To Do It All
MS Dhoni remains the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC white-ball tournaments — the T20 World Cup (2007), the ODI World Cup (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013). That’s not just a stat; it’s a legacy.
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T20 World Cup 2007 – Sparked a new era with a young squad and fearless cricket.
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ODI World Cup 2011 – Delivered glory at home with an unforgettable six over long-on.
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Champions Trophy 2013 – Proved it wasn’t a fluke, but a sustained leadership culture.
Add to that his countless match-winning knocks, lightning-fast stumpings, and the aura that followed him everywhere — from Ranchi to Lord’s — and you begin to understand why his induction felt overdue rather than unexpected.
A Ceremony Full of Nostalgia
Abbey Road Studios isn’t exactly where you’d expect a cricket event to be held. But maybe that was the point. This wasn’t about wickets and wins. It was about stories, smiles, and looking back without regrets.
The Hall of Fame ceremony had a laid-back vibe — legends chatting over tea, old clips playing in the background, and laughter echoing in a room full of once-fierce rivals turned friends.
One brief conversation stood out. Mike Hussey, the Australian legend, chuckled as he recalled Dhoni’s finishing ability. “If the match was alive in the last over, and he was on strike, we knew we were done.”
A Global Round of Applause
Social media lit up the moment Dhoni’s induction was announced. Fans from India, of course, went wild. But so did admirers from Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa. Dhoni wasn’t just India’s — he belonged to cricket.
That kind of praise? It doesn’t come easy.
Here’s a quick look at the seven 2025 inductees:
| Player Name | Country | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | India | Only captain to win all three ICC white-ball titles |
| Hashim Amla | South Africa | Over 18,000 international runs |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | Key player in Australia’s 2000s dominance |
| Graeme Smith | South Africa | Youngest Test captain, 53 Test wins |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | One of NZ’s finest all-rounders |
| Sarah Taylor | England | Rewrote wicketkeeper standards in women’s cricket |
| Sana Mir | Pakistan | Former No.1 ODI bowler, trailblazer for women’s cricket |
Dhoni’s Message To Cricket and Its People
In true Dhoni fashion, the speech wasn’t long or flashy. But it carried weight.
“Cricket isn’t just about what happens on the field. It’s about people. The coaches who taught me to keep my head down, the teammates who trusted me, and the fans — especially the fans — who never stopped cheering,” he said.
What Comes Next?
MS Dhoni hasn’t played international cricket since 2019. But he continues to light up the IPL as captain of Chennai Super Kings, guiding the franchise with the same poise and stubborn brilliance he showed for India.
There are whispers — some hopeful, some delusional — that he may play one more season. But whether he does or not doesn’t really matter now. His status is sealed. The Hall of Fame is just the formality. He was already there in the hearts of millions.
One thing’s for sure: every kid who picks up a bat in India still wants to be the next “Mahi.” And that might just be his biggest achievement.
