The cricket universe recently got to share a unique moment when the greatest captain and certainly the most famous captain India has ever had, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in June 2025. This is a huge honor and means Dhoni joins a rarefied group of cricket media and in the future, he will be lumped in with the other legends of the game.
Dhoni’s induction confirms his legacy and single-handedly represents the immense amount of talent that India brought to the game of cricket. India has always produced the best cricketers and Dhoni is just another example.
Dhoni’s Indelible Contribution
MS Dhoni’s ride from small-town boy to global cricketing hero is as incredible as it sounds. As a player, captain, and wicketkeeper-batter, Dhoni took two or three attributes of the game, be it batting, captaincy, wicketkeeping, and established what it means to be an elite player. For example, his disposition under pressure, tactical imagination, and techniques to wicketkeeping set him apart from his peers.
There is no one more qualified than Dhoni to lay claim to his leadership credentials. He is the only captain in the history of cricket to win all three ICC white-ball trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011, and Champions Trophy in 2013. Each of those achievements was backed by his innate skill to develop and produce young, raw squads and transform pressure into opportunity. The ultimate feat was driving India to ODI World Cup glory in 2011, after a drought of 28 years and eternally securing his place in the hearts of millions.
In addition to being an awesome captain, he changed the role of finisher in one-day cricket. When he made an unbeaten score of 183 against Sri Lanka in 2005 it is still the highest total by a wicketkeeper in an ODI, and by the end of his ODI career he had made over 10,000 runs in ODIs at an incredible average of 50.57. He was simply phenomenal when allowing runs as a finisher with his lightning-fast stumpings and incredible anticipation behind the stumps that he was also a re-invention of wicketkeeping as we know it.
Dhoni played a total of 538 international games and scored 17,266 runs whilst making 829 dismissals, an incredible mark of his consistency, fitness and durability. Dhoni’s legacy cannot solely be traced in the record books, he has inspired so many generations of cricketers and also has millions of fans around the world.
Also read: Top 10 Cricketers Who Retired in 2025: End of an Era in World Cricket
Dhoni’s Response and the ICC Hall of Fame
During the discussion about his induction, Dhoni said: “It is a privilege to be appointed in the ICC Hall of Fame, which has had an impact on the game from every region around the world and any era in history. Although I have achieved many things in cricket, having my name recognized and record the all-time great’s names is a great feeling and something I will always remember.”
To celebrate the greatest players in the history of the game, the ICC Hall of Fame was first announced in 2009. The 2025 class also featured Honorees Matthew Hayden, Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith and Daniel Vettori.
India’s representation in the ICC Hall of Fame
Dhoni’s induction puts him into the elite status as the 11th player from India to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, as shown in the table below of all the Indian players which led to the recognition and legacy of contributions:
| S. No. | Name | Year Inducted | Format/Role | Notable Achievements |
| 1. | Sunil Gavaskar | 2009 | Batsman | First to 10,000 Test runs, 34 Test centuries |
| 2. | Bishan Singh Bedi | 2009 | Bowler | Legendary spinner, 266 Test wickets |
| 3. | Kapil Dev | 2009 | All-rounder | 1983 World Cup-winning captain, 434 Test wickets |
| 4. | Anil Kumble | 2015 | Bowler | Highest Indian wicket-taker (619 Test wickets) |
| 5. | Rahul Dravid | 2018 | Batsman/Wicketkeeper | 10,000+ runs in Tests and ODIs, 36 Test centuries |
| 6. | Sachin Tendulkar | 2019 | Batsman | 100 international centuries, highest run-scorer |
| 7. | Vinoo Mankad | 2021 | All-rounder | First Indian to 1,000 Test runs and 100 wickets |
| 8. | Diana Edulji | 2023 | Bowler (Women) | 120 international wickets, led India in 18 ODIs/4 Tests |
| 9. | Virender Sehwag | 2023 | Batsman | First Indian to score two triple Test centuries |
| 10. | Neetu David | 2024 | Bowler (Women) | 182 international wickets, best women’s Test figures |
| 11. | MS Dhoni | 2025 | Wicketkeeper/Captain | Only captain to win all three ICC white-ball trophies |
Conclusion
The welcome into the ICC Hall of Fame for MS Dhoni is a fitting tribute to a sporting profession that transformed Indian cricket and captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world. Dhoni set new standards of excellence for an entire generation of players as a captain, a finisher and wicket keeper.
Dhoni received the award at a time when he was the 11th Indian to achieve this status, reflecting a group of luminaries whose contribution to the modernization of the game through their achievements have vastly current meaning. Dhoni’s legacy will continue to inspire and excite future generations of the spirit of cricket.
Written By Smita Singh
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