BCCI honors MS Dhoni’s legacy by retiring the iconic number 7 jersey

New Delhi: In a historic move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to retire the iconic number 7 jersey of the great MS Dhoni as a tribute to his unique contribution to Indian cricket. The decision recognizes Dhoni’s key role in transforming the Indian cricket team into a powerhouse across all formats from 2007 to 2011.

Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur expressed strong support for the move, acknowledging Dhoni’s influence on millions of fans and the inspiration he provides to aspiring cricketers. World Cup-winning captain Dhoni last wore the number 7 shirt during the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and announced his retirement on August 15, 2020.

This retirement of Dhoni’s jersey is similar to the tribute given by BCCI to the number 10 jersey of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The significance of such retirements goes beyond cricket, having been prioritized in sports such as basketball, where the Chicago Bulls retired Michael Jordan’s number 23 jersey.

As BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla stressed, this unique tribute is needed because of Dhoni’s legendary status in Indian and world cricket. The retirement of the jersey marks a lasting legacy, ensuring that the aura of these cricket legends continues to resonate in the hearts of fans across the world.