In a heartfelt gesture honoring the remarkable career of former India captain MS Dhoni, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made the historic decision to retire the legendary No. 7 jersey. This jersey holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide, symbolizing Dhoni’s leadership, composure, and numerous triumphs on the field.
The No. 7 jersey became an emblem of MS Dhoni’s legacy, marking an era that saw him lead India to unprecedented success, particularly in ICC events. While the illustrious No. 10 shirt of the great Sachin Tendulkar had already been retired by the Indian board, the addition of Dhoni’s No. 7 to the list pays homage to his unique impact on the sport.
Sources reveal that the BCCI has communicated to current Indian team players that wearing the No. 7 jersey is no longer an option, reminiscent of the retirement of Tendulkar’s No. 10. A senior official from the BCCI confirmed this choice, expressing, “Both emerging talents and current members of the Indian team have been instructed against selecting MS Dhoni’s Number 7 jersey. The BCCI has opted to retire MS Dhoni’s jersey in recognition of his substantial contributions to the sport. Consequently, a newly joined player is not eligible to choose No. 7, mirroring the earlier decision to exclude No. 10 from the available numbers.”
“During the early days of his career, pacer Shardul Thakur briefly wore the No. 10 shirt, but it was subsequently retired. The retirement of Dhoni’s No. 7 jersey signifies a swift and resolute move by the BCCI to preserve the legacy associated with this iconic number”.
The BCCI official further disclosed that, at present, around 60 numbers are designated to the regulars and contenders in the Indian team. Even if a player is out of the team for an extended period, his number is not reassigned to a new player. This practice ensures that recent debutants have a limited pool of approximately 30 numbers to choose from.
The retirement of MS Dhoni’s No. 7 jersey stands as a poignant tribute to a captain whose leadership style and achievements have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. As a new generation of players takes the field, they will do so without donning the iconic No. 7, leaving it as a symbol of the unparalleled legacy crafted by Captain Cool.
