Former Pakistan player Wasim Akram has heaped praise on MS Dhoni after his 43rd birthday. Wasim Akram also said that there has never been a captain like MS Dhoni in India before. The former Chennai Super Kings player turned 43 on July 7.
This time, Dhoni celebrated his birthday with his wife Sakshi Dhoni and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Hence, this time it was a special ceremony for Dhoni as he got 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. Moreover, Dhoni is still a part of the Indian Premier League and played for CSK in the IPL 2024.
Wherever Dhoni goes, the stadium erupts in joy: Wasim Akram
During Sportskeeda’s Match Ki Baat show, Pakistani cricketer-turned-commentator Wasim Akram praised MS Dhoni and noted that the stadium erupts in joy wherever Dhoni steps onto the field.
“Wherever he goes, be it Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Punjab, Lucknow, Hyderabad or Ahmedabad, the stadium is packed. And it should be, why not? There has never been a cricketer like him, a captain like him in India,” Akram said.
Akram also named three other players apart from Dhoni, who receive the same reception and appreciation wherever they go.
“If Dhoni doesn’t get the kind of welcome he gets, who will? 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 he gets,” the former left-arm spinner added.
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MS Dhoni is popular and will lead India to three ICC trophies
MS Dhoni is best known for leading India to three crucial titles between 2007 and 2013. Captain MS Dhoni led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. 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 the 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, his wicket-keeping and his captaincy,” Akram added.
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MS Dhoni resigns as CSK captain for IPL 2024
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni did not have a good season in IPL 2024 as Chennai Super Kings failed to make it to the playoffs. The Men in Yellow failed to make it to 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.
It is noteworthy that Dhoni stepped down as captain before the tournament and appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. Although Gaikwad finished as the second highest run-getter of the season, he failed to lead CSK to the playoffs.