This article explores the close friendships of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni with both Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, shedding light on who holds a special place in Dhoni's life.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an unshakeable peak in cricket, started his journey as an ordinary wicketkeeper with long hair. Initially, he was unsure of his place in the team, but his aggressive batting proved his worth, making him a celebrated hero.
Dhoni's love for cricket, sharp mind, DRS strategy, player management, fielding setup, and bowling changes have led India to win the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy. After retiring from international cricket, Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles.
Dhoni's batting prowess was unmatched. He even smashed a half-century against West Indies in a Test match, leaving even the legendary Brian Lara stunned.
Yuvraj Singh has been a close friend to Dhoni in cricket. They have secured victories for the team in numerous matches. In the 2011 ODI World Cup final, both Yuvi and Dhoni played crucial roles in India's triumph.
In the 2008 ODI series against England, Yuvraj Singh received a motorbike as the Man of the Series award. Both Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni rode the bike on the field, with Dhoni taking the wheel.
Despite their strong bond, there were rumors of a rift between Dhoni and Yuvraj. However, their connection remains irreplaceable. Suresh Raina also shares a deep friendship with Dhoni.
Dhoni and Raina have been friends since childhood. Raina made his cricket debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka. Once, at Dhoni's house in Ranchi, Raina slept on the floor. When asked why, Raina said it was his habit. From then on, Dhoni also started sleeping on the floor.
When Dhoni decided to retire from Test cricket, Raina was the first to know. It was also through Suresh Raina that Dhoni learned about the birth of his daughter, Ziva. Sakshi first shared the news with Raina.
The average partnership between Dhoni and Raina in ODIs is 62.14, including 9 century and 17 half-century partnerships, the highest among any Indian pair.