Cricket

'Message is clear 7 is only for thala' - Fans react as Indian Cricket Board reportedly retires MS Dhoni's iconic jersey no.7

The Indian Cricket Board has decided to retire MS Dhoni's iconic No. 7 jersey. To pay tribute to the legendary former captain and one of India's greatest cricket icons, the board took this decision.

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Mathew K
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MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

The Indian Cricket Board has decided to retire MS Dhoni's iconic No. 7 jersey. To pay tribute to the legendary former captain and one of India's greatest cricket icons, the board took this decision. This move follows the tradition of honouring great players like Sachin Tendulkar, whose No. 10 jersey was also retired.

Players on the Indian team have been officially informed that they are no longer allowed to wear the No. 7 jersey, solidifying its status as off-limits for the national side. This decision was communicated to both current players and emerging domestic talents.

A senior board official stated that the retirement of Dhoni's t-shirt is a recognition of his immense contribution to the game. The No. 7 jersey holds special significance in the context of Dhoni's illustrious career as India's most successful captain. He said, "The young players and current Indian team players have been told not to pick M. S. Dhoni's number 7 jersey. The board has decided to retire Dhoni's t-shirt for his contribution to the game. A new player can't get No. 7, and No. 10 was already off the list of available numbers."

The Indian Cricket Board takes prompt action after previous learnings

Earlier, star India all-rounder Shardul Thakur had worn the No. 10 jersey, but it was retired after a widely discussed episode. In contrast, the Board acted promptly in the case of Dhoni's No. 7 jersey, ensuring that it is no longer available for players to choose from. The board has accepted the demand from fans to recognise his contribution to the game.

Currently, 60 numbers are allotted to players on the Indian team, including regulars and those in contention. The board official explained that even if a player is out of the team for about a year, his number is not given away to a new player. This leaves recent debutants with just a limited number of choices.

The symbolic retirement of Dhoni's No. 7 jersey serves as a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket. Fans had earlier expressed their desire for this gesture, and the Board has now acknowledged and fulfilled their demands, honouring a cricket icon who left an indelible mark on the sport with his leadership and on-field performances.

Here is how fans react to the board's decision:

MS Dhoni Indian Cricket Board Indian cricket team Jersey no.7