Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain whose tactical acumen and unflappable demeanor defined an era of Indian dominance in limited-overs cricket, was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on June 28, 2025, as part of the Class of 2025. The honor, shared with South Africa’s Hashim Amla, Australia’s Matthew Hayden, South Africa’s Graeme Smith, and New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, underscores Dhoni’s unparalleled contributions to the game, even as he navigates uncertainties in his IPL career and faces renewed scrutiny over past team dynamics.
Dhoni, 44, becomes the latest Indian to join the Hall of Fame, following luminaries like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. His induction recognizes not just his on-field exploits but his role in reshaping Indian cricket’s global standing. As captain from 2007 to 2017 across formats, Dhoni led India to victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy – the only skipper in history to claim all three major ICC white-ball titles. Off the field, his highest ODI score of 183 not out against Sri Lanka in 2005 – the best by a wicketkeeper-batsman – and his reputation as a “finisher” cemented his status as a generational talent.
In a statement released by the BCCI, Dhoni reflected modestly on the accolade: “It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognizes the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world.” The timing of the induction, just months after a challenging IPL 2025 season for his Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has reignited discussions about the veteran’s future in the franchise and the sport.
A Disappointing IPL 2025 and Captaincy Resumption
CSK’s 2025 IPL campaign marked a low point for the five-time champions, finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time in their 16-year history with just two wins from eight matches early in the season. The team’s struggles were compounded by injuries, including to skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was sidelined with an elbow issue midway through the tournament. Dhoni, recovering from his own knee problems, stepped in as interim captain, a role he last held full-time in 2024.
Despite the revival effort, CSK could not salvage playoffs contention, prompting criticism from analysts and fans alike. Some questioned Dhoni’s batting position, arguing he entered too late in crucial chases, limiting his impact despite facing more deliveries than in the prior two seasons combined. Post-season, Dhoni returned to his Ranchi roots, where photographs of him fishing at his farmhouse – clad in a T-shirt emblazoned with “Duty, Honor, Country” – surfaced online, signaling a deliberate pause.
In August, during a public event, Dhoni addressed his CSK future for the first time since the season’s end, emphasizing a long-term perspective: “It’s not about one year… I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I am able to play.” He highlighted Gaikwad’s impending return and the upcoming December mini-auction as avenues to address batting imbalances. Reports from RevSportz in early September suggested Dhoni is “very likely” to feature in IPL 2026, potentially as a retained uncapped player, allowing CSK to allocate resources elsewhere.
This comes amid broader franchise shifts: Former BCCI president N. Srinivasan was reinstated as CSK chairman in September, overseeing operations for CSK, Johannesburg Super Kings, and Texas Super Kings. Fans on social media have speculated on dream lineups for 2026, blending youth like Dewald Brevis with veterans such as Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, though retention constraints may complicate acquisitions.
Shadows of Controversy: Resurfaced Allegations
Dhoni’s Hall of Fame moment has not been without blemish. In early September, a half-decade-old video of former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan resurfaced, reigniting a “hookah controversy” from 2020. Pathan had alleged that Dhoni smoked hookah during team meetings, a claim Dhoni never publicly addressed at the time.
Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh, amplified the issue, accusing Dhoni of treating players “like s***” during his captaincy and labeling his ongoing silence as “guilty.” He referenced Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag as examples of those allegedly sidelined. Pathan dismissed the revival as “twisted context” amid “fan wars” and “PR lobbies,” but the episode has drawn divided responses online.
Countering the narrative, young CSK batter Dewald Brevis, who played under Dhoni in 2025, praised the veteran’s accessibility: “His room door is always open… the time he has for players stood out.” Brevis highlighted Dhoni’s humility off the field, a trait echoed by Dinesh Karthik, who recently recalled the fierce competition for the wicketkeeping spot during their overlapping careers.
These exchanges reflect the polarized views on Dhoni’s leadership style – lauded for fostering young talent but critiqued for perceived favoritism. As one X user noted in a thread dissecting his influence, Dhoni’s “dominance” in Indian cricket remains unmatched, from BCCI corridors to IPL auction tables.
Beyond the Boundary: A Life in Service
Dhoni’s post-retirement life extends far beyond cricket. Holding an honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank in the Indian Territorial Army since 2011, he continues to embody discipline and resilience – values evident in his sparse social media presence, where he shares glimpses of biking, gaming, and family life with wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva. His 2016 biopic, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, remains a cultural touchstone, with recent social media buzz linking it to lighter anecdotes, like Ziva’s playful “accusation” against actor Ranveer Singh.
As the Asia Cup 2025 unfolds without him on the field – where Karthik named Dhoni in his all-time India T20I XI – the cricketing world watches closely. Will 2026 mark Dhoni’s IPL swansong, or does his Hall of Fame entry signal a pivot to mentorship? For now, the man from Ranchi – recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2018 – remains as enigmatic as ever, his legacy a blend of triumphs, trials, and timeless appeal.
also read: Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: The King of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai
Last Updated on: Friday, October 3, 2025 5:05 pm by Indian News Bulletin Team | Published by: Indian News Bulletin Team on Friday, October 3, 2025 5:05 pm | News Categories: Sports, Lifestyle
About The Author
