MS Dhoni birthday: Let's take a look at 42 facts about legendary Indian captain

As MS Dhoni turns 42, we bring you 42 facts about the former legendary Indian captain.

Coming from a small town in India, Former MS Dhoni has become a wonderboy in the Cricket World. MS Dhoni’s name became a synonym for self-belief, risk, man-management, and leadership along with the talent in India. He left an impact on billions of people with his game as well as his demeanor on and off the field. MS Dhoni is celebrating his 42nd birthday today. The Ranchi-born wicket-keeper was destined to become a cricketer but he started as a goalkeeper first in his school.

A long hair kid coming from a humble background went on and win three ICC titles for the team India. After making his international debut in December 2004 against Bangladesh, he never looked behind and signed off his international career among the greatest in Cricket. MS Dhoni served as ticket collector at Kharagpur Railway station under South Eastern Railway just a year before his international debut. There are a few other facts about the legend that amazes everyone. 

As we celebrate the legendary Indian captain's 42nd birthday, we bring you 42 facts about the man himself.

42 Facts about MS Dhoni

1 - MS Dhoni is the only captain to win all ICC trophies (T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy)

2 - MS Dhoni is the quickest Wicket-keeper batsman to score 10,000 runs in ODIs (273 Innings)

3 - MS Dhoni is the only 2nd Wicket-keeper batsman to score 17,000+ runs in International Cricket

4 - MS Dhoni was the first player to win back-to-back ICC ODI player of the year awards (2008,2009)

5 - MS Dhoni is the only Indian wicket-keeper batsman to score over 4000 test runs

6 - MS Dhoni is the only wicket-keeper batsman to score a double-hundred in single day of a test match

7 - MS Dhoni is the only Indian captain to lead India over 100 victories in ODIs. (He is also the 2nd most successful captain in ODIs with 110 wins, first being Ricky Ponting with 165 wins)

8 - MS Dhoni was the first batsman to score over 10,000 runs in ODIs with an average above 50

9 - MS Dhoni holds the record of most not-outs in ODIs (84 times, 2nd best - Mark Boucher - 57 times)

10 - MS Dhoni holds the record of most not-outs in International Cricket (142 times, 2nd best  - Mark Boucher, 87 times)

11 - MS Dhoni holds the record of captaining a team most times in International Cricket - 332 times (2nd best - Ricky Ponting - 324 matches)

12 - MS Dhoni is the only wicket-keeper to have more than 100 stumpings in ODI Cricket (123 stumpings)

13 - MS Dhoni was the first Indian batsman to hold No. 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings for more than 700 days

14 - MS Dhoni is the only batsman to hit ODI century while batting at No. 3,4,5,6,7

15 - MS Dhoni is the only batsman in ODI history, who batted in 7 different positions in a single calendar year. He did it in 2006 (Batting Positions - Opening,3,4,5,6,7,8)

16 - MS Dhoni captained India to 11 consecutive wins in World Cup matches, Most by an Indian

17 - MS Dhoni has finished a match 23 times with a six - Most by any player

18 - MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain in ODIs (110 wins)

19 - MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain in T20Is (41 wins)

20 - MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain in International Cricket (178 wins)

21 - MS Dhoni is the only Indian wicket-keeper to take more than 250 catches in Test cricket (256 catches)

22 - MS Dhoni holds the record of highest individual score by a wicket-keeper in ODIs - 183

23 - MS Dhoni has captained 226 matches in the IPL, Most by any captain

24 - MS Dhoni is the only captain to win over 100 IPL matches (133 matches)

25 - MS Dhoni was the first Indian captain to win the IPL (In 2010 he lead CSK to IPL title, 2008 was won by Shane Warne-led RR, while Adam Gilchrist-led DC clinched the title in 2009)

26 - MS Dhoni holds the record of most stumpings made by a wicket-keeper in T20Is (34)

27 - MS Dhoni holds the record of most stumpings made by a wicket-keeper in International cricket (195)

28 - MS Dhoni holds the record of Indian wicket-keeper with most dismissals in tests (294)

29 - MS Dhoni holds the record of Indian wicket-keeper with most dismissals in ODIs (444)

30 - MS Dhoni holds the record of Indian wicket-keeper with most dismissals in T20Is (91)

31 - MS Dhoni holds the record of Indian wicket-keeper with most dismissals in International Cricket (829)

32 - MS Dhoni is the only Indian captain to lead 200 ODI matches

33 - MS Dhoni holds the record of scoring most runs at 6th position in ODIs (4164 runs)

34 - MS Dhoni is the fastest player to reach the No. 1 spot in the ICC Batsmen rankings, He entered the first position in just 42 innings.

35 - MS Dhoni has captained most matches by a wicket-keeper in test cricket (60 Matches, Next best - Mushfiqur Rahim - 28 matches)

36 - MS Dhoni has captained most matches by a wicket-keeper in ODI cricket (200 Matches, Next best - Sarfaraz Ahmed - 50)

37 - MS Dhoni has captained most matches by a wicket-keeper in T20Is (72 Matches, Next best - Sarfaraz Ahmed - 37)

38 - MS Dhoni has captained most matches by a wicket-keeper in T20Is (72 Matches, Next best - Sarfaraz Ahmed - 37)

39 - MS Dhoni has captained most matches by a wicket-keeper in International cricket (332 Matches, Next best - Sarfaraz Ahmed - 100)

40 - MS Dhoni is the oldest player to win "Player of the series" award in ODIs. He won it against Australia in January 2019 at the age of 37 years and 195 days.

41 - MS Dhoni was the first batsman to score 2 centuries in ODIs while batting at the position of No. 7 (2nd being Michael Bracewell of New Zealand)

42 - MS Dhoni was awarded Khel Ratna award in 2007, Padma Shri in 2009 and Padma Bhushan in 2018.