Captain cool Dhoni turns 37

Twitterati storms Twitter as Captain cool turns 37

Pic courtesy: IANS

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s most successful captains, turned 37 on Saturday. The Indian team's senior-most player, Dhoni, also reached the coveted milestone of playing 500 international matches during the second T20 International against England, on Friday. In doing so, Dhoni became the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar (664) and Rahul Dravid (509) to breach the 500 match barrier in International cricket.

ICC took to Twitter to congratulate Dhoni on the achievement: 

Congratulations to @msdhoni who today plays in his 500th international match! #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/zqnaaZkEal — ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2018

In 499 international matches so far, the wicket-keeper batsman has taken 602 catches and effected 178 stumpings. 

Dhoni made his One day International (ODI) and Test debut in 2004 against Bangladesh and in  2005 against Sri Lanka, respectively. With a total of 9967 runs in ODIs, Dhoni is regarded among the best batsmen to represent India. He has played 90 Tests, 318 ODIs, 91 T20Is, and 295 matches in total, so far. 

Hailing from Ranchi, Dhoni was appointed as the Indian team’s skipper in 2007. He also led India to win various trophies including ICC World Cup T20 (2007), Cricket World Cup (2011), ICC Champions Trophy (2013). India also topped the Test cricket rankings for the first time under Dhoni's captaincy in 2009.  

He played 194 matches as captain, in which India won 107 matches and lost 72.

Former Indian Cricketer Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to wish Captain cool: 

#HappyBirthdayMSDhoni . May your life be longer than this stretch and may you find happiness in everything, faster than your stumpings. Om Finishaya Namaha ! pic.twitter.com/zAHCX33n1y — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 6, 2018

Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina was also not behind in wishing Dhoni on Social media:

Walking out of your 500th international match & gracefully walking into the blessed day of India, when a legend like you was born! Wish you a very Happy Birthday brother @msdhoniYou have been my inspiration & will always be! I cherish all our good times! #HappyBirthdayMSDhoni pic.twitter.com/YinwMNSAgz — Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) July 6, 2018

Dhoni was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2018. He was also honored with an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the Indian Territorial Army in 2011. Dhoni also led the Chennai based franchise to a record third Indian Premier League title, equalling Mumbai’s record.