Wasim Akram declares MS Dhoni as the greatest captain in Indian cricket history
Published - 09 Jul 2024, 09:54 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
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Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has hailed MS Dhoni after his 43rd birthday. Wasim Akram also said that there has been no captain like MS Dhoni in India in the past. The former Chennai Super Kings turned 43 years old on July 7.
Dhoni celebrated his birthday with his wife Sakshi Dhoni and Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan this time. Hence, it was a special ceremony for Dhoni this time to enjoy his birthday with the Bollywood legend.
Dhoni is the most famous former cricketer in Indian cricket. Although he retired from international cricket in 2019, he is still popular among cricket fans and experts. Also, Dhoni is still part of the Indian Premier League and played for CSK in IPL 2024.
Wherever Dhoni goes, stadium erupts in joy: Wasim Akram
During Sportskeeda’s show Match Ki Baat, Pakistan cricketer-turned-commentator Wasim Akram heaped praises on MS Dhoni. He noted that the stadium erupts in joy wherever Dhoni goes on the field.
“Wherever he goes, be it Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Punjab, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, the stadium erupts. And it must, why not? There has never been such a cricketer, such a captain in India”, Akram said.
Akram also named three other players than Dhoni, who get equal reception and like him wherever they go.
“If Dhoni doesn’t get such a reception, then who will get it? Sachin used to get it, Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma – these are four big names in Indian cricket. Dhoni definitely deserves the kind of adulation that he gets," the former left-arm pacer further said.
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MS Dhoni popular to lead India to three ICC trophies
MS Dhoni is extremely known for leading India to three crucial titles from 2007 to 2013. Skipper MS Dhoni led India to the T20 World Cup 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. He became the first captain to win all three ICC trophies in white-ball formats.
“As a cricketer, he has won the World Cup, and Champions Trophy – all the major white-ball trophies. On and off the field, he has led from the front. He has won matches with his batting, keeping and captaincy," Akram further said.
MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK skipper in IPL 2024
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni did not have a lovely season in IPL 2024 as Chennai Super Kings failed to reach the playoffs. The Men-in-Yellow failed to reach the playoffs for the first time after IPL 2020.
CSK failed to win the do-or-die game against Virat Kohli's RCB and also failed to reach the required runs to qualify on the basis of net run rate.
Notably, Dhoni stepped down as captain ahead of the tournament and made Ruturaj Gaikwad as skipper. Although Gaikwad finished as the second highest-run getter in the season, he failed to get CSK into playoffs.
