New Delhi, July 7: Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 39 on Tuesday (July 7) and fellow cricketers took to their social media handles to greet the former India captain. His successor Virat Kohli and other Indian cricketers greeted the wicketkeeper-batsman and wished him good health.
Team India's head coach Ravi Shastri and former India cricketers like Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman also conveyed his best wishes to the legendary cricketer.
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Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings teammate Dwayne Bravo also released his latest song titled 'Number 7', dedicated to his captain on and paid glowing tributes to the three-time IPL-winning skipper. Bravo had announced a few days ago that he would pay a tribute to Dhoni on his birthday, by releasing a song and on Monday (July 6) night.
In the song, Bravo speaks of some of Dhoni's milestones representing Team India for whom he has been one of the most successful skippers having won every major ICC trophy.
MS Dhoni last played in India colours around a year ago during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and there is a possibility that the most successful India captain in the ODIs might have played his last game for the Men in Blue.
MS Dhoni Birthday: Dwayne Bravo dedicates 'No.7’ song to CSK skipper - WATCH
Here's how cricketing fraternity wished Dhoni on his birthday:
The Indian Cricket Team's Twitter handle paid a glowing tribute to the living legend and captioned the image: "One man, countless moments of joy!"
One man, countless moments of joy! 🇮🇳🙌
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 6, 2020
Let’s celebrate @msdhoni's birthday by revisiting some of his monstrous sixes! 📽️💪#HappyBirthdayDhoni
Captain Virat Kohli also greeted Dhoni on his Twitter handle and wrote: "Happy b'day Mahi bhai. Wish you good health and happiness always. God bless you."
Happy b'day Mahi bhai. Wish you good health and happiness always. God bless you 🙏😃 pic.twitter.com/i9zR4Zb5A3
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 7, 2020
India's limited-overs vice-captain and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma hailed the captain cool by sharing a throwback picture on his Twitter handle and captioned it: "Cooling off with Mr Cool. Happy birthday @msdhoni."
Cooling off with Mr Cool. Happy birthday @msdhoni. pic.twitter.com/fZQgGGRcD4
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 7, 2020
Hardik Pandya - who made his international debut under MS Dhoni - wrote an emotional message for Dhoni on his Twitter handle. "Happy birthday to my Bittu from your Chittu Hugging face My friend who has taught me to be a better human being and stood by me in bad times @msdhoni," wrote Pandya.
Happy birthday to my Bittu from your Chittu 🤗 My friend who has taught me to be a better human being and stood by me in bad times @msdhoni 😘❤️ #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/WfoRkMmAuo
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) July 6, 2020
Dhoni's CSK and India teammate Kedar Jadhav posted an emotional letter on his Twitter for his captain. Jadhav even wrote his birthday wish for Dhoni in Marathi.
A small try to make your birthday little more special. My best friend, teammate and captain, Happy Birthday Mahi Bhai @msdhoni
— IamKedar (@JadhavKedar) July 7, 2020
Thank You @InsideCricket07 for making it happen. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/xfiakfh8Ai
Dhoni's deputy at Chennai Super Kings, Suresh Raina, shared a video clip comprising images of the two from their early days in Team India.
Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday @msdhoni 🇮🇳✅☝️! to one of my favorite human, brother & a leader I could ever ask for! The man who has always played with his mind and heart. Thank you for all the inspiration Dhoni Bhai 🤘🤗 pic.twitter.com/72eoMM7qwg
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) July 6, 2020
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag - who is known for his special birthday wishes for fellow cricketers - wrote a special message for Dhoni. "Once in a generation, a player comes and a nation connects with him, think of him as a member of their family, kuch bahut apna sa lagta hai. Happy Birthday to a man who is the world ( Dhoni-ya ) for his many admirers. #HappyBirthdayDhoni," tweeted Sehwag.
Once in a generation, a player comes and a nation connects with him, think of him as a member of their family, kuch bahut apna sa lagta hai. Happy Birthday to a man who is the world ( Dhoni-ya ) for his many admirers. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/T9Bj7G32BI
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 7, 2020
India's head coach Ravi Shastri greeted Dhoni and wrote: "Happy Birthday Youngster! Have an absolute blast Legend 🙏 #mahendrasinghdhoni #MSDhonibirthday #HBDDhoni #Dhoni".
Happy Birthday Youngster! Have an absolute blast Legend 🙏 #mahendrasinghdhoni #MSDhonibirthday #HBDDhoni #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/B4lzLbPAdt
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) July 7, 2020
VVS Laxman wrote: "Many more happy returns of the day to a man whose composure and patience continues to be an inspiration. #HappyBirthdayDhoni."
Many more happy returns of the day to a man whose composure and patience continues to be an inspiration. #HappyBirthdayDhoni pic.twitter.com/h1EXP6aohR
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 7, 2020
India's Test regular Cheteshwar Pujara wrote on his Twitter handle: "Wishing you a very happy birthday @msdhoni. Best wishes for the coming year! Thank you for always inspiring us on and off the field!"
Wishing you a very happy birthday @msdhoni. Best wishes for the coming year! Thank you for always inspiring us
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) July 7, 2020
on and off the field! pic.twitter.com/9ICMQMbGho
India women's ODI captain Mithali Raj wrote: "Wishing @msdhoni a very happy birthday!"
Chennai Super Kings shared a video clip on its Twitter handle in which several CSK players greeted Dhoni on his birthday.
The Lions roar in their wishes and recount their favourite memory with this ever-favourite man! #HappyBirthdayDhoni #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/UBlPU5BSvc
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) July 6, 2020