Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a name that echoes on everyone’s lips when the present-day cricket scenario in India is discussed. The calm demeanor, highest-level cricketing IQ, and finishing skills that dare not be rivaled led him to grab trophies and conquer the hearts of millions.
List of top awards won by MS Dhoni:
| Awards | Year |
| Padma Bhushan | 2018 |
| Padma Shri | 2009 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna | 2007 |
| ICC Hall of Fame Inductee | 2025 |
| Honorary Lieutenant Colonel | 2011 |
| ICC Spirit of Cricket Award | 2011 |
| ICC ODI Player of the Year | 2008-09 |
| BCCI Special Awards | 2017 |
| Castrol Indian Cricketer of Year | 2011 |
NATIONAL CIVILIAN HONORS:
- Padma Bhushan (2018): For his remarkable services to Indian sports, Dhoni was awarded the Padma Bhushan, which stands as the nation’s third-highest civilian honour.
- Padma Shri (2009): The fourth of India’s civilian honors, Padma Shri, is meant to designate the further emergence of Dhoni as a national hero with India’s victory in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup onto yet another chapter within the chronicles of Indian cricket.
National Sports Awards:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2007, earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna): This has been awarded to Dhoni for his leadership par excellence and pertinent performance, especially during the formative years of his captaincy, winning the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup during that time.
ICC Recognitions:
1. ICC Hall of Fame Inductee (2025)
Enshrining Dhoni into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame as one of the premier protagonists of the game, this recognition celebrates Dhoni’s legacy of leadership, consistency, and clutch performances.
2. ICC Spirit of Cricket Award (2011)
For this incident of calling back Ian Bell in a controversial run-out in a Test match against England, this award was termed as the world example of sporting behavior.
3. ICC ODI Player of the Year (2008-09)
Dhoni became the first Indian cricketer to win this award twice in a row due to the fact that he really could do no wrong with bat or gloves on the ODI stage.
Military Honors and Titles
- Honorary Lieutenant Colonel-Indian Territorial Army (2011): The government of India awarded this rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Dhoni due to having qualities of leadership, discipline, and also his closeness to the armed forces.
Institutional & Board Recognitions
- BCCI Recognition Special (2017) : Given in the BCCI Annual Awards (2015-16) ceremony, this special one celebrated Dhoni’s unique milestone of becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to cross the threshold of 10,000 ODI runs.
Popular & Brand Awards
- Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year (2011): This award is credited to Dhoni’s stellar performance during the years of the World Cup 2011, his match-winning knock through the finals led to India’s win after 28 years.
Conclusion
The award cabinet of MS Dhoni is not a stack of medals and plaques; it is nothing less than a timeline of cricketing history. From India’s highest sports and civilian honors, then coming to fold recognition by the ICC across the world to such a massive fan following.
The journey of Dhoni is what is indeed a blueprint of greatness. All these awards speak not only of his brilliance on the field but also stand testimony to the integrity, humility, and leadership that define this man behind the trophies.
Written by RITESH SINGH
