In a heartfelt tribute to the legendary former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially retired the iconic No. 7 jersey. This decision follows the earlier retirement of Sachin Tendulkar’s No. 10 shirt, emphasizing the exceptional contributions of these cricketing icons.
Dhoni’s association with the No. 7 jersey has been inseparable, symbolizing his leadership and success, particularly in ICC events where he stands as India’s most accomplished captain. The BCCI has communicated to the current Indian team that wearing the No. 7 jersey is now off-limits, mirroring the precedent set by Tendulkar’s No. 10.
A senior BCCI official revealed, “The young players and current Indian team members have been instructed not to don M S Dhoni’s Number 7 jersey. The BCCI acknowledges Dhoni’s immense contribution to the game, and as a mark of respect, the jersey has been retired. No. 10 was already off the list, and now, No. 7 joins that exclusive category.”
Notably, during his early days in the Indian team, pacer Shardul Thakur briefly wore the No. 10 shirt before it was retired. In the case of the No. 7 jersey, the BCCI has acted swiftly to ensure it remains a symbol of Dhoni’s legacy, inaccessible to current and future players.
The BCCI official also confirmed that a total of 60 numbers are presently designated to the Indian team’s players. “Even if a player is out of the team for about a year or so, we don’t give away his number to a new player. That means a recent debutant has just 30-odd numbers to choose from,” explained the BCCI official.
This move signifies the profound impact that both Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni have had on Indian cricket, immortalizing their contributions through the retirement of their jersey numbers. As the cricketing fraternity reflects on these decisions, the legacy of these cricketing legends continues to shape the narrative of Indian cricket.
