Former India batter and cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped high praise on MS Dhoni, calling him one of the greatest captains the sport has ever seen. According to Manjrekar, Dhoni’s legacy goes far beyond his records, as he had the rare ability to elevate the players around him and lead an inexperienced side to global success.

Dhoni’s captaincy journey began with a bold gamble when he was handed the reins of a young Indian team for the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. Against all odds, the Ranchi-born cricketer guided India to the title, setting the tone for a new era of Indian cricket.

Six years later, MS Dhoni once again showcased his tactical brilliance, steering a transitioning Indian side to Champions Trophy glory in 2013. The triumph was particularly significant, as it came during a period when India was integrating several new faces into the squad.

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“I would rank Imran Khan from the days gone by, and after that, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for what he achieved as captain,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Stalin Mathias’ YouTube channel.

“He single-handedly raised the bar for the team, even with an average or inexperienced squad, as we saw in the 2007 T20 World Cup. He was exceptional on the big stage, playing finals with the same composure as any league match. That calmness is rare, even among top captains.”

Dhoni’s career remains one of cricket’s most decorated. In a 15-year international stint, he featured in 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is, captaining India in 60 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 72 T20Is.

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Under his leadership, India became the No. 1 Test side in 2010, and he remains the only captain to have lifted all three ICC white-ball trophies – the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013). Though he retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, MS Dhoni continues to inspire fans as captain of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, where he has led the franchise to five titles. His leadership legacy continues to define Indian cricket’s modern era.