MS Dhoni turns 41, celebrates birthday with wife Sakshi in UK, Rishabh Pant joins party – WATCH

New Delhi: Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is celebrating his 41st birthday on Thursday. The wicket-keeper batter marked his debut 2004 and went on to become one of the most successful captains.

Dhoni has earned a tag of 'Captain Cool' for his calm and composed nature in the most challenging circumstances on the field.

Wife Sakshi Dhoni took to Instagram to share a glimpse of his midnight birthday celebration.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sakshi Singh (@sakshisingh_r)

Greeting started to pour in on social media for the most dynamic cricketer on his special day.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Jay Shah tweeted: "Happy birthday to the man whose understanding of the game and ways to tackle challenges is unmatched. Your ingrained confidence and attitude to lead from the front made us believe that #TeamIndia can win any game. Wishing you good health and happiness."

Happy birthday to the man whose understanding of the game and ways to tackle challenges is unmatched. Your ingrained confidence and attitude to lead from the front made us believe that #TeamIndia can win any game. Wishing you good health and happiness @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/lBDZsVu600

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 7, 2022

Dhoni's teammate and dear friend Suresh Raina shared a video collage with throwback pictures with Dhoni with a caption: "Happy Birthday to my big brother. Thank you for being my biggest supporter and mentor in every phase of life, may god bless you and your family with good health always. Much love to you mahi bhai. Wishing you a great year ahead!"

Happy Birthday to my big brother. Thank you for being my biggest supporter and mentor in every phase of life, may god bless you and your family with good health always. Much love to you mahi bhai. Wishing you a great year ahead! @msdhoni #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/3uABWFIlnO

— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) July 6, 2022

"Very very happy birthday to you. My best wishes are always with you! Have the most wonderful year ahead. Love always," former India spin-master Harbhajan Singh tweeted.

Very very happy birthday to you @msdhoni ???? My best wishes are always with you! Have the most wonderful year ahead. Love always ???? pic.twitter.com/95n92fqeNT

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 7, 2022

India test cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara said: Happy birthday, Dhoni. Wish you the very best for the coming year! Keep shining always.

Happy birthday, @msdhoni ???? Wish you the very best for the coming year! Keep shining always. pic.twitter.com/SsfYsf3LUT

— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) July 7, 2022

Dhoni's IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings wrote: "Starting the day with the finish that’s etched in our memories!"

Starting the day with the finish that’s etched in our memories! ????????????#HBDThalaDhoni #WhistlePodu #Yellove ???????? @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/Qi5f3ouz8o

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 7, 2022

Robin Uthappa: A very happy birthday brother. May you keep smiling always! Have a great day and year ahead. Lots of love.

A very happy birthday brother @msdhoni ???? May you keep smiling always! Have a great day and year ahead. Lots of love. pic.twitter.com/tWKDni7hP8

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) July 7, 2022

"Dada taught us youngsters how to win and Dhoni made it into a habit. Two great leaders from different eras born just a day apart. Happy birthday to the men who shaped Indian cricket," Mohammad Kaif said.

Dada taught us youngsters how to win and Dhoni made it into a habit. Two great leaders from different eras born just a day apart. Happy birthday to the men who shaped Indian cricket.@msdhoni @SGanguly99 pic.twitter.com/oD7o5VnJVK

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 6, 2022

Virender Sehwag took to Twitter and shared birthday wish in his own style, "Till the time full stop doesn't come,a sentence isn't completed. Till the time Dhoni is at the crease,match isn't completed. Not all teams have the fortune to have a person like Dhoni, Happy B'day to a gem of a person & player,MS Dhoni. Om Helicopteraya Namaha."

Till the time full stop doesn't come,a sentence isn't completed. Till the time Dhoni is at the crease,match isn't completed.
Not all teams have the fortune to have a person like Dhoni, Happy B'day to a gem of a person & player,MS Dhoni. Om Helicopteraya Namaha #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/qGFhpcP5so

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 7, 2022

Dhoni's name has been synonymous with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fondly referred to as 'Thala' by the people of Chennai, Dhoni has led the Yellow Brigade to 4 IPL and two Champions League T20 titles, and is one of the most decorated skippers in the history of the league.

Tami Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin also extend a wish for 'Thala' and said: "Your unparalleled achievements have given hope to millions of youngsters from humble rural backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Eagerly waiting to see you play again in our own Chennai."

Happy Birthday @msdhoni!

Your unparalleled achievements have given hope to millions of youngsters from humble rural backgrounds to pursue their dreams.

Eagerly waiting to see you play again in our own #Chennai.#HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/Drb2um69Rg

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 7, 2022

In an ODI career that spanned a decade and a half, MS Dhoni provided innumerable memories for fans. He played a whopping 350 ODI matches and scored 10773 runs in his career at an average of 50.58.

He also led India to two of their biggest ODI triumphs ever – the 2011 World Cup title, as well as the 2013 Champions Trophy title.

In his Test career after playing 90 matches, in which he scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09 he decided to retire form the longest format of the game.

After India's loss in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, Dhoni was never seen again in India colours; but continued to lead CSK in the IPL. In 2020, he announced his retirement from the international cricket. (Inputs from UNI)