MS Dhoni: The BCCI, which is in charge of Indian cricket, has told young players that they can no longer ask for the jersey number 7, which used to be worn by MS Dhoni. Just like Sachin Tendulkar’s number 10 was retired in 2017 and is no longer given to new players, the same decision has now been made for Dhoni’s number 7.
Usually, players can choose any number between 1 to 100 when they debut for the Indian team, but the BCCI has decided that number 7 is off-limits for future players.
BCCI Retires Dhoni’s No. 7 Jersey
Indian cricket’s governing body, BCCI, has instructed young and current players to avoid choosing MS Dhoni iconic No. 7 jersey as a tribute to his contributions to the game. This decision follows the earlier retirement of Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 jersey.
According to senior BCCI official, new players are not allowed to select No. 7, as it has been reserved to honor Dhoni, and No. 10 was already taken off the available list.
Retiring MS Dhoni Jersey After 3 Years
The choice to retire M.S. Dhoni No. 7 jersey comes three and a half years after his retirement in August 2020. Although he played his last match in the 2019 World Cup semi-final wearing the iconic No. 7 against New Zealand, the jersey will now be preserved in honor of his significant contributions.
Dhoni, a cricket legend, stands out as the only captain to win all three ICC tournaments in the white-ball format, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cricket.
Dhoni’s Triumphs in Cricket
MS Dhoni, a cricket icon from Ranchi, played a pivotal role in leading a young Indian team to victory in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Four years later, he etched his name in history, ending India’s 28-year wait for an ODI World Cup with an iconic six at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in the 2011 final against Sri Lanka.
In 2013, Dhoni captained India to the Champions Trophy title, marking India’s last ICC triumph to date. Dhoni, now the captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, boasts impressive records in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his immense contribution to Indian cricket.
M.S. Dhoni Wicketkeeping Record
MS Dhoni is not only celebrated for his leadership but also holds the record for the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper. With an impressive tally of 634 catches and 195 stumpings, he ranks as the third most successful wicketkeeper in cricket history, trailing behind South Africa’s Mark Boucher and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist. Dhoni’s exceptional skills behind the stumps have left an enduring mark, solidifying his status as one of the greatest wicketkeepers in the game.
Limited Choices for Young Cricketers due to Retired Jerseys
Young Indian cricketers now have fewer choices for their jersey numbers because some numbers are retired. Only the numbers of cricketers who have stopped playing can be chosen by new players. About 60 numbers are already taken by current and potential team members.
Even if a player is not in the team for a short time, his number is not given to a new player. This means that new players only have around 30 numbers to choose from. For example, Yashasvi Jaiswal wanted No. 19, but because Dinesh Karthik still uses that number and hasn’t retired, Jaiswal had to pick No. 64 instead.