MS Dhoni Inducted into ICC Hall of Fame 2025 Alongside Hayden and Amla

Former India cricket captain MS Dhoni was officially inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame for the year 2025 on Monday, June 9. The honor was also extended to Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden and South African stalwart Hashim Amla.

The announcement marked a celebration of Dhoni’s illustrious 16-year international career, which included 17,266 runs, 829 dismissals, and appearances in 538 matches for India across all formats.

Reacting to the honor, Dhoni said, “It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”

A Memorable Career with Record-Breaking Performances

Dhoni’s international journey began in 2004 with an ODI debut. Though he was dismissed for zero in his first match, he made headlines with a thunderous 148 off 123 balls against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam in April 2005.

He followed it up with an unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka in Jaipur — the highest score by a wicketkeeper in men’s ODIs and a record-setting performance in a successful run chase.

Captaining India to Global Triumphs

In 2007, Dhoni took charge of a young Indian squad for the first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and led them to victory against Pakistan in the final.

In Tests, he guided India to the No. 1 ranking in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in December 2009. His top Test score of 224 came against Australia in Chennai in 2013 and helped India to a decisive win.

In the ODI format, Dhoni set several benchmarks. He became the fastest player to reach the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings within just 40 matches.

His captaincy was defined by strategic brilliance, especially during the 2011 World Cup, where he promoted himself to No. 5 in the final and struck the winning six.

He also captained India to the ICC Champions Trophy win in 2013, becoming the only captain to secure all three ICC men’s white-ball titles.

Redefining Wicketkeeping and Leadership

Throughout his career, Dhoni’s unorthodox wicketkeeping style was as effective as it was unique. His quick reflexes and innovative techniques led him to record 123 stumpings in ODIs — the most by any player — along with 200 captaincies in ODIs for India.

He showcased his ability with the bat in Test matches too, scoring crucial innings like 148 against Pakistan in Faisalabad and 76 not out at Lord’s that contributed to India’s series win in England.

Dhoni’s Retirement and Hall of Fame Induction

Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, concluding a career that transformed Indian cricket. His induction into the ICC Hall of Fame was celebrated at a special ceremony at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Alongside Dhoni, inductees included Hashim Amla, Matthew Hayden, Graeme Smith, and Daniel Vettori among men, and Sana Mir and Sarah Taylor among women.

This year’s class was selected by a panel consisting of current Hall of Famers, ICC officials, and media representatives.

Dhoni, who had shared the dressing room with Matthew Hayden during IPL campaigns with Chennai Super Kings, became the 11th Indian to be inducted. The list includes legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble.

Dhoni’s Statistical Legacy

In Tests, Dhoni scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.08, with 256 catches and 38 stumpings in 90 matches. In ODIs, he amassed 10,773 runs at 50.57, along with 321 catches and 123 stumpings in 350 matches.

In T20Is, he made 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60, with 57 catches and 34 stumpings across 98 games.

As a captain, Dhoni led India to the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win in 2007, guided the Test team to the top for 18 months starting December 2009, and lifted the 2011 World Cup with his iconic six to seal victory against Sri Lanka.

He remains the most-capped captain in international cricket and was named in the ICC ODI and T20I Teams of the Decade in 2019.

Honoring Legends Who Shaped Cricket

ICC Chairman Jay Shah said, “Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket’s legacy and inspired generations.”

Launched in January 2009 as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, the ICC Hall of Fame honors players five years after their final international match. The Hall now includes 122 cricketing legends, with Dhoni’s legacy firmly etched among them.