23 July 2025: The 2025 ICC Hall of Fame event in London honoured some of cricket’s biggest stars, with special praise for India’s MS Dhoni, who was inducted into the sport’s elite group of legends. That year, seven modern greats were welcomed into the Hall of Fame, including Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, Sana Mir, and Sarah Taylor. Dhoni’s induction was a significant honour for his long and successful career, and it also demonstrated how his legacy extends beyond just numbers.
The 2025 ICC Hall of Fame Inductees
The ICC Hall of Fame is something that reflects cricket’s International reach. Here is the list of players in the Hall of Fame:
| Name | Country | Notable Contributions |
| MS Dhoni | India | Transformational captain, all-time great wicketkeeper, iconic finisher |
| Graeme Smith | South Africa | Record-breaking Test captain |
| Hashim Amla | South Africa | Prolific run-maker, pillar of consistency |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | Powerhouse opener, big-match player |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | Silky left-arm spinner, strategic allrounder |
| Sana Mir | Pakistan | Trailblazing women’s cricket leader, role model |
| Sarah Taylor | England | Dynamic wicketkeeper, game-changer for women’s cricket |
Why MS Dhoni Was Selected in the Hall of Fame
MS Dhoni is now the 11th Indian cricket player to be honoured in the ICC Hall of Fame, joining famous names such as Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid. His selection was made by a group of respected Hall of Fame members, ICC officials, and journalists, showing how much he has influenced cricket around the world.
The reasons for honouring Dhoni are compelling
- Dhoni is the only captain in the world of cricket who has won all three main ICC tournaments: the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, which was India’s first-ever title, the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, ending a 28-year wait for victory, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
- He changed the way wicketkeepers play the game. Known for his quick stumpings and unique, yet very effective, style, he showed what a wicketkeeper-batter can do.
- Throughout his 16-year international career, Dhoni played 538 matches for India, scoring 17,266 runs and taking 829 wickets, showing both his reliability and how long he stayed at the top.
- Dhoni is famous for his amazing finishing ability, best shown when he hit a six in the 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to win the match.
- As a leader, he helped young players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma grow into top-class cricketers.
- Outside of cricket, Dhoni is known for his polite and humble nature, and his calm, cool personality has influenced a new generation of sportspeople.
Dhoni’s Own Words
The time Dhoni was honoured with the prestigious Hall of Fame, he expressed his emotions and said, “It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contribution of cricketers across generations and from all over the world.”
Since he was named after many legends, he added, “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling, something I will cherish forever.”
What’s Next?
Every statistic shows Dhoni is one of the best, but his biggest impact is the change he brought about: from a small town in Ranchi to big wins in the World Cup, and guiding the new generation of Indian cricket. His entry into the ICC Hall of Fame is more than just about winning trophies; it honours his leadership, fresh ideas, and lasting humility. These qualities make his place in the Hall of Fame well-earned.
Looking ahead, the Class of 2025, especially Dhoni’s legacy, gives a clear example and motivates future players for years to come.
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