PREFACEPreparing a project of this nature is an arduous task and I was

fortunate enough to get support from a large number o persons. I

wish to express my deep sense of gratitude to all those who

generously helped in successful completion of this report by sharing

their invaluable time and knowledge.

It is my proud and previledge to express my deep regards to

Respected HOD Dr.Pramesh Gautam, Head of Department of

Business Management , SWAMI VIVEKANAND INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY, SAGAR for allowing me to undertake this project.

I feel extremely exhilarated to have completed this project

under the able and inspiring guidance of Mr. Ankur Gautam she

rendered me all possible help me guidance while reviewing the

manuscript in finalising the report.

I also extend my deep regards to my teachers , family

members , friends and all those whose encouragement has infused

courage in me to complete to work successfully.

PANKAJ PATHAK

B.B.A. III SEM.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Preparing a project of this nature is an arduous task and I was

fortunate enough to get support from a large number o persons. I wish to

express my deep sense of gratitude to all those who generously helped in

successful completion of this report by sharing their invaluable time and

knowledge.

It is my proud and previledge to express my deep regards to

Respected , Head of Department Dr.Pramesh Gautam, Department of

Business Management , SWAMI VIVEKANAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SAGAR for allowing me to undertake this project.

I feel extremely exhilarated to have completed this project under the

able and inspiring guidance of He rendered me all possible help me guidance

while reviewing the manuscript in finalising the report.

I also extend my deep regards to my teachers , family members , friends

and all those whose encouragement has infused courage in me to complete to

work successfully.

PANKAJ PATHAK

B.B.A. III SEM.

DELCLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

Date :

I declare that the project report titled "PERSONALITY OF MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI"

on Market Segmentation is nay own work conducted under the supervision of Mr. Ankur Gautam

Department of Business Management , SWAMI VIVEKANAND INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY SAGAR To the best of my knowledge the report does not contain any work ,

which has been submitted for the award of any degree , anywhere.

PANKAJ PATHAK

B.B.A. III SEM.

CERTIFICATE

The project report titled " PERSONALITY OF MAHENDRA SINGH

DHONI" been prepared by PANKAJ PATHAK BBA III Semester , under the

guidance and supervision of MR. ANKUR GAUTAM for the partial fulfillment

of the Degree of B.B.A.

Signature of the Signature of the Signature of the

Supervisor Head of the Department Examiner

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

File:MS Dhoni1.jpg

Personal information

Full name Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Born 7 July 1981 (age 29)

Ranchi, Bihar (now inJharkhand), India

Nickname Mahi

Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)

Batting style Right-hand batsman

Bowling style Right-hand medium

Role Wicket-keeper, India captain

International information

National side India

Test debut (cap 251) 2 December 2005 v Sri Lanka

Last Test 9 October 2010 v Australia

ODI debut (cap 158) 23 December 2004 v Bangladesh

Last ODI 02 April 2011 v Sri Lanka

ODI shirt no. 7

Domestic team information

Years Team

1999/00 –

2004/05

Bihar

2004/05- Jharkhand

2008– Chennai Super Kings

Career statistics

Competition Test ODI FC LA

Matches 54 185 95 241

Runs scored 2,925 5,958 5087 7,960

Batting average 40.06 48.08 37.40 47.95

100s/50s 4/20 7/37 7/34 13/48

Top score 148 183* 148 183*

Balls bowled 12 12 42 39

Wickets 0 1 0 2

Bowling average – 14.00 - 18.00

5 wickets in innings - - - -

10 wickets in match - - - -

Best bowling 0/1 - - 1/14

Catches/stumpings 148/25 180/60 256/44 247/75

Source: Cricinfo, 21 February 2011

Mahendra Singh Dhoni,   pronunciation (help·info) (Hindi: महे�न्द्र सिं�हे धो�नी  )

(born July 7, 1981 in Ranchi, Bihar) (now in Jharkhand) is an Indian cricketer and

the current captain of the Indian national cricket team.

Initially recognized as an extravagantly flamboyant and destructive batsman, Dhoni

has come to be regarded as one of the coolest heads to captain the Indian ODI

side. Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, CB Series of

2007–08 , the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2008 and 2010 against Australia 2–0

and 2011 Cricket World Cup in which India beat Sri Lanka. Under his captaincy

India acheivednumeroone ranking in tests. His Test,ODI record is best among all

the Indian captains up to date. He also captained Chennai Super Kings to victory in

the recent IPL 2010 and in the Champions League. He is now captain of India in

all three forms of the game and also led the team to their first ever bilateral ODI

series wins in Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Under Dhoni captaincy India became

the first team after a gap of more than 20 Years to clean sweep Australia in Test

series. Dhoni also led team India to number one position in ICC rankings in test

cricket for the first time. Dhoni has also been the recipient of many awards

including the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first Indian

player to achieve this feat), the Rajiv Gandhi KhelRatna award and the Padma Shri,

India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2009. As of January 2010, Dhoni is the

highest ranked ODI batsman on the ICC Rankings List. Dhoni was named as

captain of Wisden's first-ever Dream Test XI Team in 2009 and has topped the list

of world’s top 10 earning cricketers compiled byForbes.[1] He was named as the

captain of ICC World Test and ICC ODI teams for 2009. In the final of the 2011

Cricket World Cup, he hit 91 not out of just 79 balls to lead India to victory. For his

oustanding batting in the final, he was awarded as the man of the match.

Personal life

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand) to Pan Singh

and Devaki Devi.[2] His paternal village Lvali is in the Lamgarha block of the Almora

District of Uttarakhand. Dhoni's parents, moved from Uttarakhand to Ranchi where

Pan Singh worked in junior management positions in MECON. Dhoni has a sister

Jayanti and a brother Narendra. Dhoni had long hair which he has now shortened;

he cut it because he wanted to look like his favourite film star John

Abraham(actor).He likes Bikes A Hummer to add to the four cars and 23 high-

speed motorcycles already parked in his garage in Ranchi.He is endorsing 15

brands from clothes to cold Drinks. And, he is one of the highest income tax payers

in last year [3] Dhoni is a fan ofAdam Gilchrist, and his childhood idols were cricket

teammate Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and

singer LataMangeshkar.[4][5]

Dhoni studied at DAV JawaharVidyaMandir, Shyamali,(now the school is known as

JVM , Shyamli,Ranchi) Ranchi,Jharkhand where he initially excelled in badminton

and football and was selected at district and club level in these sports.Dhoni was

a goalkeeper for his football team and was sent to play cricket for a local cricket

club by his football coach. Though he had not played cricket, Dhoni impressed with

his wicket-keeping skills and became the regular wicketkeeper at the Commando

cricket club (1995–1998). Based on his performance at club cricket, he was picked

for the 1997/98 season VinooMankad Trophy Under-16 Championship and he

performed well.[3] Dhoni focused on cricket after his 10th standard.[6]

Dhoni married Sakshi (née Rawat) on July 04, 2010. SakshiDhoni, a Kolkata girl, is

studying hotel management and was working as a trainee at the Taj Bengal when

the two of them met two years ago. The wedding stumped the media and the fans

as it took place only a day after the couple got engaged. [7][8] Bollywood

actress BipashaBasu, a close friend of Dhoni, was quick to inform the media that

the wedding was planned for months and was not a spur of the moment decision.[9]

Playing style

Dhoni is a right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Dhoni is one of the number of

wicket-keepers who have come through the ranks of junior and India A cricket

teams to represent the national team — Parthiv Patel, Ajay Ratra and Dinesh

Karthik also followed this route. Dhoni, referred to as 'Mahi' by his friends, debuted

in the Bihar cricket team during the 1998/99 cricket season and was selected to

represent India-A for a tour to Kenya in 2004. Along with GautamGambhir, Dhoni

made multiple centuries against the Pakistan-A team in a tri-nation series and was

selected in the Indian national team later in that year.[citation needed]

Mahendra Singh Dhoni breaks the stumps of a South African batsman during a

match in Chennai in 2008.

Dhoni tends to play mostly from the back foot with a pronounced bottom hand grip.

He has a very fast hand speed through the ball which often results in the ball racing

across the ground. From this initial stance his feet do not show much movement

which sometimes results in chasing balls while not coming to the pitch of the ball or

inside edging a lot of balls.

Dhoni scored 148 against Pakistan in his fifth ODI match in 2005 — then the

highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper. Later in the year, he broke his own record

as well as set the current world record for the highest score in the second innings in

ODI matches as he scored 183* against Sri Lanka. Dhoni's success in the limited

overs format secured him a place in the test team. Consistent performances in ODI

cricket through the end of the 2005/06 season saw Dhoni briefly ranked as the No.

1 batsman in the ICC ODI ratings.[3] The shot that he plays are fondly called "The

Helicopter Shot".

Dhoni's form dipped through 2006 as India lost matches at the ICC Champions

trophy, DLF Cup, away bilateral series against West Indies and South Africa. A

return to form in the home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka in early 2007

proved to be an inaccurate indicator of Dhoni's form as India crashed out of the first

round in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Dhoni was out for a duck in both India's

losses. After the World Cup, Dhoni won the Man of the series award in the bilateral

ODI tournament against Bangladesh. For the tour of England, Dhoni was named

the ODI team vice-captain.[10]

Domestic career

Junior cricket

Dhoni was included in the Bihar U-19 squad for the 1998/99 season and scored

176 runs in 5 matches (7 innings) as the team finished fourth in the group of six and

did not make it to the quarter finals. Dhoni was not picked for the East Zone U-19

squad (CK Nayudu Trophy) and Rest of India squad (MA Chidambaram Trophy

and VinooMankad Trophy). Bihar U-19 cricket team advanced to the finals of the

1999–2000 Cooch Behar Trophy where Dhoni made 84 to help Bihar post a total of

357. Bihar's efforts were dwarfed by Punjab U-19's 839 with Dhoni's future national

squad teammate Yuvraj Singh making 358.[11] Dhoni's contribution for the

tournament included 488 runs (9 matches, 12 innings), 5 fifties, 17 catches and 7

stumpings.[12] MS Dhoni made it to the East Zone U-19 squad for the CK Nayudu

trophy but scored only 97 runs in four matches as East Zone lost all four matches

and finished last in the tournament.

Bihar team

Dhoni made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar in the 1999–2000 season as an

eighteen year old. He made a half century in his debut match scoring 68* in the

second innings against Assam cricket team.[13] Dhoni finished the season with 283

runs in 5 matches. Dhoni scored his maiden first-class century against Bengal in

the 2000/01 season in a losing cause.[14] Apart from the century, his performance in

the 2000/01[15] did not include another score over fifty and in 2001/02 season he

scored just five fifty in each season in four Ranji matches.[16] Dhoni's performance

for the 2002/03 season in the Ranji Trophy included three half centuries in the Ranji

Trophy and a couple of half-centuries in the Deodhar Trophy competition as he

started winning recognition for his lower-order run contribution as well as hard

hitting batting style.

In the 2003/04 season, Dhoni scored a century (128*) against Assam in the first

match of the Ranji ODI trophy. He was part of the East Zone squad that won the

Deodhar Trophy for the year and contributed with 244 runs in 4 matches. In the

Duleep Trophy finals, Dhoni was picked over International cricketer Deep

Dasgupta to represent East zone.[17] He scored a fighting half century in the second

innings in a losing cause.[18]

The future captain was discovered via the BCCI's small-town talent-spotting

initiative TRDW. Dhoni was discovered by TRDO PC Podar, captain of Bengal in

the 1960s, when he saw Dhoni play for Jharkhand at a match in Jamshedpur in

2003, and sent a report to the National Cricket Academy.[19]

India A team

He was recognized for his efforts in the 2003/04 season, especially in the ODI

format and was picked for the India A squad for a tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya.[20] Against the Zimbabwe XI in Harare Sports Club, Dhoni had his best wicket-

keeping effort with 7 catches and 4 stumpings in the match.[21] In the tri-nation

tournament involving Kenya, India 'A' and Pakistan 'A', Dhoni helped India 'A' chase

their target of 223 against Pakistan 'A' with a half-century. [22] Stressing on his

performance, he scored back to back centuries – 120[23] and 119*[24] against the

same squad. Dhoni scored 362 runs in 7 matches (6 innings, Ave:72.40), and his

performance in the series received attention from the then captain –

SouravGanguly[25] and Ravi Shastri amongst others. However, the India 'A' team

coach SandeepPatil recommended Karthik for a place in the Indian squad as

wicket-keeper/batsman.[26]

Indian Premier League

M.S.Dhoni was contracted by the Chennai Super Kings for 1.5 Million USD. This

made him the most expensive player in the IPL for the first season Auctions which

was closely followed by Andrew Symonds. Dhoni is the present captain of

the Chennai Super Kings team.

ODI career

ODI Career of Dhoni. Brown line indicates 10 match average while the orange line

indicates career average progression.

The Indian team in the 2000s saw the use of Rahul Dravid as the wicket-keeper to

ensure that the wicket-keeper spot didn't lack in batting talent.[25] The Indian cricket

establishment also saw the entry of wicket-keeper/batsmen from the junior ranks

with talents like Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik – both India U-19 Captains in the

test squads.[25] With Dhoni making a mark in the India-A squad, he was picked in

the ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour in 2004/05.[27] Dhoni did not have a great

start to his ODI career, getting run out for a duck on debut.[28] In spite of an average

series against Bangladesh, Dhoni was picked for the Pakistan ODI series.[29] In the

second match of the series, Dhoni in his fifth one-day international, scored 148

in Vishakapatnam off only 123 deliveries. Dhoni's 148 erased the earlier record for

the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper,[30] a record that he would re-write

before the end of the year.

Dhoni had few batting opportunities in the first two games of the Sri Lankan

bilateral ODI series (October–November 2005) and was promoted to No. 3 in the

third ODI at SawaiMansingh Stadium (Jaipur). Sri Lanka had set India a target of

299 after a Kumar Sangakkara century and in reply, India lost Tendulkar early.

Dhoni was promoted to accelerate the scoring and ended the game with an

unbeaten 183 off 145 balls, winning the game for India[31] – an innings described

in WisdenAlmanack (2006) as 'Uninhibited, yet anything but crude'.[32] The innings

set variousrecords including the highest Individual score in ODI cricket in the

second innings,[33] a record that still stands. Dhoni ended the series with the highest

run aggregate (346)[34] and was awarded the Man of the series award for his efforts.

In December 2005, Dhoni was signed by BCCI to a B-grade contract, skipping the

initial C-grade level due to his performance on the cricketing field.[35]

Dhoni bowling in the nets. He rarely bowls at international level.

India scored 328 in 50 overs with Dhoni contributing 68 in their first match of 2006

against Pakistan. However the team finished poorly, scoring just 43 runs in the last

eight overs and lost the match due to Duckworth-Lewis method.[36] In the third

match of the series, Dhoni came in with India in a precarious situation and scored

72 runs off just 46 balls that included 13 boundaries to help India take a 2–1 lead in

the series.[37][38] The final match of the series had a repeat performance as Dhoni

scored 77 runs off 56 balls to enable India win the series 4–1.[39] In recognition of

his consistent ODI performances, Dhoni overtook Ricky Ponting as number one in

the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen on 20 April 2006.[40] His reign lasted just a week

as Adam Gilchrist's performance against Bangladesh moved him to the top spot.[41]

Two canceled series in Sri Lanka, one due to the withdrawal of South Africa from

the Unitech Cup due to security concerns[42] and the replacement 3-match ODI

bilateral series against Sri Lanka washed due to rain,[43] was India's prelude to

another disappointing tournament – DLF Cup 2006-07. Dhoni scored 43 runs as

the team lost twice in three games and did not qualify for the finals. India's lack of

preparation showed in the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy as they lost to West

Indies and Australia, though Dhoni scored a half-century against West Indies. The

story of the ODI series inSouth Africa was the same for both Dhoni and India as

Dhoni scored 139 runs in 4 matches and India lost the series 4–0. From the start of

the WI ODI series, Dhoni had played 16 matches, hit just two fifties and averaged

25.93. Dhoni received criticism on his wicket keeping technique from former

wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani.[44]

Preparations for the 2007 Cricket World Cup improved as India recorded identical

3–1 victories over West Indies and Sri Lanka and Dhoni had averages in excess of

100 in both these series. However, India unexpectedly crashed out the World Cup

after losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Dhoni was out for a duck in both these

matches and scored 29 runs in the tournament. After the loss

toBangladesh in 2007 Cricket World Cup, the house that Dhoni was constructing in

his home-town Ranchi was vandalized and damaged by political activists of JMM.[45] The local police arranged for security for his family as India exited the World cup

in the first round.[46]

Dhoni put behind his disappointment in the World cup by scoring 91*

against Bangladesh after India were left in a tight spot earlier in the run-chase.

Dhoni was declared the man of the match for his performance, his fourth in ODI

cricket. He was also later adjudged the man of the series after the third game of the

series was washed away. Dhoni had a good Afro-Asia Cup, getting 174 runs in 3

matches at an average of 87.00, with a blitzkrieg 139 not out of 97 balls, a Man Of

The Match innings, in the 3rd ODI.

Dhoni was nominated as the vice-captain of the ODI team for the series against

South Africa in Ireland and the subsequent India-England 7-match ODI series.[10] Dhoni, who received a 'B' grade contract in December 2005, was awarded an 'A'

grade contract in June 2007. And also he was elected as captain of Indian Twenty-

20 Cricket Team for the World Twenty20 in September 2007. On 2 September

2007 Mahendra Singh Dhoniequalled his idol Adam Gilchrist's international record

for the most dismissals in an innings in ODI by catching 5 English players and

stumping one.[47] He led India to the ICC World Twenty 20 trophy in South Africa

with a victory over arch rivals Pakistan in an intensely fought final on 24 September

2007, and became the second Indian captain to have won a World cup in any form

of cricket, after Kapil Dev. Dhoni took his first wicket and ODI wicket on 30

September 2009. He bowled Travis Dowlin from the West Indies. During the series

between India and Australia, Dhoni hit an aggressive 124 runs in just 107 balls, in

the second ODI, and a measured knock of 71 runs in 95 balls, along with Yuvraj

Singh, saw India home by 6 wickets, in the third ODI.

Dhoni topped the ICC ODI Batsman rankings for several months continuously in

2009, it was Hussy from Australia who replaced him for the top spot in the

beginning of 2010.

Dhoni had an excellent year in ODIs in 2009 scoring 1198 runs in just 24 innings at

an astonishing average of 70.43. Dhoni was also the joint top-scorer in ODIs in

2009 along with Ricky Ponting, but the latter having played in 30 innings.

Test career

Test Career of Dhoni. Brown line indicates 10 innings average while the orange line

indicates career average progression.

Following his good one-day form against Sri Lanka, Dhoni replaced Dinesh

Karthik in December 2005 as the Indian Test wicket-keeper.[48] Dhoni scored 30

runs in his debut match that was marred by rain. Dhoni came to the crease when

the team was struggling at 109/5 and as wickets kept falling around him, he played

an aggressive innings and was the last man dismissed.[49]Dhoni made his maiden

half-century in the second Test and his quick scoring rate (half century came off 51

balls) aided India to set a target of 436 and the Sri Lankans were bowled out for

247.[50]

India toured Pakistan in January/February 2006 and Dhoni scored his maiden

century in the second Test at Faisalabad. India were left in a tight spot as Dhoni

was joined by IrfanPathan with the team still 107 away from avoiding follow-on.

Dhoni played his typical aggressive innings as he scored his maiden test century in

just 93 balls after scoring his first fifty in just 34 deliveries.[51]

Dhoni at fielding practice.

Dhoni followed his maiden test century with some prosaic batting performances

over the next three matches, one against Pakistan that India lost and two against

England that had India holding a 1–0 lead going into the test match. Dhoni was the

top scorer in India's first innings in the third test atWankhede Stadium as his 64

aided India post a respectable 279 in reply to England's 400. However Dhoni and

the Indian fielders dropped too many catches and missed many dismissal chances

including a key stumping opportunity of Andrew Flintoff (14).[52] Dhoni failed to

collect the Harbhajan Singh delivery cleanly as Flintoff went on to make 36 more

runs as England set a target of 313 for the home team, a target that India were

never in the reckoning. A batting collapse saw the team being dismissed for 100

and Dhoni scored just 5 runs and faced criticism for his wicket-keeping lapses as

well as his shot selections.

On the West Indies tour in 2006, Dhoni scored a quick and aggressive 69 in the

first Test at Antigua. The rest of the series was unremarkable for Dhoni as he

scored 99 runs in the remaining 6 innings but his wicket-keeping skills improved

and Dhoni finished the series with 13 catches and 4 stumpings. In the test series in

South Africa, Dhoni's scores of 34 and 47 were not sufficient to save the second

test against the Proteas as India lost the test series 2–1, squandering the chance to

build on their first ever Test victory in South Africa (achieved in the first Test

match). Dhoni's bruised hands ruled him out of the third test match.[53]

On the fourth day of the first Test match at Antigua Recreation Ground, St

John's, Antigua during India's tour of West Indies, 2006, Dhoni's flick off Dave

Mohammed to the midwicket region was caught by Daren Ganga. As the batsman

started to walk back, captain Dravid declared the innings when confusion started as

the umpires were not certain if the fielder stepped on the ropes and Dhoni stayed

for the umpire's verdict. While the replays were inconclusive, the captain of the

West Indies side, Brian Lara, wanted Dhoni to walk-off based on the fielder's

assertion of the catch. The impasse continued for more than 15 minutes and Lara's

temper was on display with finger wagging against the umpires and snatching the

ball from umpire AsadRauf. Ultimately, Dhoni walked-off and Dravid's declaration

was effected but the game was delayed, and Lara's action was criticized by the

commentators and former players. Lara was called by the match referee for

explanation of his actions but was not fined by the match referee.[54]

Dhoni scored two centuries in Sri Lanka's tour of India in 2009, a series of 3

matches in which he led India to a 2–0 victory. With this feat, India soared up to the

number 1 position in Test cricket for the first time in history. India scored 726–9

(decl) in the third match of this series, which is their highest test total ever.[55]

Captain of India

Dhoni was named the captain of India Twenty 20 squad for the inaugural ICC

World Twenty20 held in South Africa in September 2007.[56] India were crowned

champions as Dhoni led the team to victory against Pakistan in a thrilling contest.[57] He, then went on to become the ODI captain of the Indian team for the seven-

match ODI series against Australia in September 2007.[58] He made his debut as

full-time Test captain of India during the fourth and final test against Australia at

Nagpur in November 2008 replacing Anil Kumble who got injured in the third test

and then announced his retirement. Dhoni was vice-captain in this series till that

point.[59] India eventually won that Test thus clinching the series 2–0 and retained

the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.[60] Dhoni had previously captained India on a stand-in

basis against South Africa and Australia in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

It was under his captaincy that India climbed to No. 1 in the ICC Test Rankings in

December 2009. After that he managed to lead India in a series leveling world

championship of Test against the South Africans in Feb 2010. As a result India

managed No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

After winning the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup for India against Sri Lanka on 2nd

April 2011 with his match winning knock of unbeaten 91, Tendulkar heaped praises

on Dhoni, claiming him to be the best captain he has played under. Tendulkar

mentioned that it was Dhoni's calm influence that was rubbing on all his team-

mates and even under such extreme pressure from every corner the way Dhoni

handles it and brings the best out of him was just incredible. SauravGanguly also

said in an interview to news channel that Dhoni is the all time greatest captain of

India and he has a great record to support his credential.

Two-match ban

Dhoni was handed a two-match ban from playing in the ODI series against Sri

Lanka for the team's slow over-rate during the second one-dayer in Nagpur (18

December 2009) by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe.[61]

World Cup

Under Dhoni's captaincy, India won the 2011 Cricket World Cup against Sri Lanka.

In the final, chasing 275 under extreme pressure, Dhoni promoted himself up the

batting order, coming before Yuvraj Singh. When he came to bat, the situation was

very demanding, with India needing more than six runs per over and three top order

batsmen already dismissed. He started building a good partnership with his former

India 'A' teammate GautamGambhir and ran quick singles and twos. Due to good

strokeplay and active running between wickets, they kept up with the required run

rate. Dhoni was on 60 off 60 balls, but later accelerated with a greater flow

of boundaries, ending with 91 not out off 79 balls. Befitting the occasion, he finished

the match with a huge six over long-on off bowler NuwanKulasekara.

Later he admitted in the post match presentation that he came up the order so as to

counter the Muralitharan spin threat as he was very familiar with Murali's bowling,

being his team-mate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super

Kings. He had come after the dismissal of ViratKohli, also a right-handed batsman.

By partnering with the left-handed Gambhir, he ensured a right-left combination at

the crease that makes it difficult for bowlers to settle into a rhythm. Yuvraj is left-

handed, and would not have formed this combination with Gambhir.

Through this victory, India became only the third team after West Indies and

Australia to have won the World Cup more than once. Over the course of their

world cup campaign, they defeated every previous world champion (West Indies in

the league stage, and Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the knockout rounds).

Cricket performance

ODI records

On 31 October 2005 Dhoni scored 183* runs of just 145 balls against Sri Lanka

in SawaiMansingh Stadium, Jaipur, which is the highest score made by any

batsman in the second innings (surpassing Lara's previous record of 153).[33]

The innings featured 10 Sixes - the most by an Indian in an innings, and the

fourth highest in ODI cricket after the 12 scored by Xavier Marshall of the West

Indies, and 11 scored by both ST Jayasuriya and ShahidAfridi.[63]

He broke Adam Gilchrist's record of 172 for the highest score made by a wicket

keeper.

The innings set the record for the most number of runs scored in boundaries

(120 – 15x4; 10x6) breaking the record held by Saeed Anwar. However this

was later broken by Herschelle Gibbs (126 runs in boundaries – 21x4; 7x6)

against Australia during his knock of 175.

The score of 183* equaled Ganguly's innings during the 1999 Cricket World

Cup as the highest individual score against Sri Lanka.

Among Indian batsmen who have played more than 50 matches, Dhoni has the

highest average.[64] Dhoni's batting average is also the highest amongst

wicketkeepers in ODIs.

In June 2007, Dhoni(139*) and MahelaJayawardene(107)[62] set a new world

record for the sixth wicket partnership of 218 runs against Africa XI during the

Afro-Asia Cup.[65]

Dhoni passed Shaun Pollock's record for the highest individual score by a

number seven batsman in one-day internationals during his unbeaten innings of

139.[66] Incidentally, Pollock record stood for just three days as his score of 130

came in the first match of the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup while Dhoni's century came

in the third and final match of the series.

Dhoni also holds the records of the most dismissals in an innings by an Indian

wicketkeeper and joint International (with Adam Gilchrist) with 6 dismissals (5

catches and one stumping) against England at Headlingly 2 September 2007.

Dhoni holds the Indian record of most dismissals in ODIs. He went

past NayanMongia's 154 for India on 14 November 2008 when he caught Ian

Bell off Zaheer Khan at MadhavraoScindia Cricket Ground, Rajkot. However

including 3 ODIs against Africa XI, his 155th dismissal was TM Dilshan caught

off Munaf Patel at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 24 August 2008.

Dhoni, when he was on four during his innings of 23 against Sri Lanka at

R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday, completed 4,000 runs in ODIs.

Having already effected 165 dismissals (125 catches + 40 stumpings), Dhoni

became the sixth wicketkeeper after Adam Gilchrist, Andy Flower, Alec

Stewart, Mark Boucher and Kumar Sangakkara to complete the "double" of

4,000 runs and 100 dismissals in the history of ODIs. Dhoni’s feat of completing

the "double" of 4,000 runs and 100 dismissals in only 114 innings is a world

record. He is the youngest wicket-keeper batsman to do so (27 years and 208

days).

Man of the Series Awards

S Series (Opponents) Season Series Performance

No

1Sri Lanka in India ODI

Series

2005/0

6

346 Runs (7 Matches & 5 Innings, 1x100,

1x50); 6 Catches & 3 Stumpings

2[67]India in Bangladesh ODI

Series2007

127 Runs (2 Matches & 2 Innings, 1x50); 1

Catches & 2 Stumpings

3India in Sri Lanka ODI

Series2008

193 Runs (5 Matches & 5 Innings, 2x50); 3

Catches & 1 Stumping

4India in West Indies ODI

Series2009

182 Runs (4 Matches & 3 Innings with an

average of 91); 4 Catches & 1 Stumping

Man of the Match Awards:

S

NoOpponent Venue Season Match Performance

1 Pakistan Vishakapatnam2004/0

5148 (123b, 15x4, 4x6); 2 Catches

2 Sri Lanka Jaipur2005/0

6183* (145b, 15x4, 10x6); 1 Catch

3 Pakistan Lahore2005/0

672 (46b, 12x4); 3 Catches

4 Banglades Mirpur 2007 91* (106b, 7x4); 1 Stumping

h

5Africa

XI[62]Chennai 2007 139* (97b, 15x4, 5x6); 3 Stumpings

6 Australia Chandigarh 2007 50* ( 35 b, 5x4 1x6); 2 Stumpings

7 Pakistan Guwahati 2007 63, 1 Stumping

8 Sri Lanka Karachi 2008 67, 2 Catches

9 Sri Lanka Colombo (RPS) 2008 76, 2 Catches

10New

ZealandMcLean Park, Napier 2009 84*, 1 Catch & 1 Stumping

11West

Indies

Beausejour Stadium, St.

Lucia2009 46*, 2 Catches & 1 Stumping

12 Australia

Vidarbha Cricket

Association Stadium,

Nagpur

2009124, 1 Catches, 1 Stumping & 1

Runout

13Banglades

hMirpur 2010 101* (107b, 9x4)

14 Sri Lanka Wankhede

Stadium, Mumbai ICC

2011 91 Not Out

World Cup FInals

Man of the Match Awards:

S No Opponent Venue Season Match Performance

1 Australia Mohali 2008 92 & 68*

Test records

Dhoni's maiden century against Pakistan in Faisalabad (148) is the fastest

century scored by an Indian wicket keeper. Only three centuries by two

players (Kamran Akmal and Adam Gilchrist – 2) were faster than Dhoni's 93

ball century.[68]

Under Dhoni's captaincy, India defeated Australia by 320 runs on 21st

Oct'08, biggest ever win in terms of runs for India.[69]

Dhoni holds the record for most catches by an Indian player in an innings. He

achieved this feat by taking six catches during the first innings of the third

test against New Zealand in Wellington in April 2009.

Dhoni also equalled Syed Kirmani's record for most dismissals in an innings

by an Indian wicket-keeper. Syed Kirmani has effected 6 dismissals (5

catches and 1 stumping) against New Zealand in 1976. Dhoni now has

equalled that record for most dismissals with 6 dismissals (all 6 catches)

against New Zealand in 2009.

Dhoni currently ranks third in the all-time dismissals list by Indian wicket-

keepers. With the six dismissals in the first innings of the Test match

against New Zealand in Auckland,April 2009, Dhoni has now been involved

in 109 dismissals. The following is the list of top five Indian wicket-keepers, in

terms of all-time dismissals in test matches: Syed Kirmani (198

dismissals), Kiran More (130 dismissals), Dhoni (109

dismissals), NayanMongia (107 dismissals) & Farokh Engineer (82

dismissals).

Dhoni is now the second wicketkeeper to have effected 6 dismissals in an

innings apart from a fifty in each innings of a Test match. Denis Lindsay had

accomplished the feat for South Africa against Australia at Johannesburg in

December 1966 – 69 & 182 and 6 ct. + 2 ct.

Under Dhoni's captaincy, India reached their highest test score of 726–9

(decl) during Sri Lanka's tour of India in 2009. Their 2–0 victory in the series

took them to the number 1 ranking in Test cricket for the first time in history.

Under Dhoni's captaincy, India did not lose a test match until the first test

versus South Africa in Nagpur in Feb 2010. As a captain, he holds a record

for longest unbeaten run in tests from his debut, 11 tests (8 wins and 3

draws). This record crossed former Australian captain Warwick Armstrong's

run of 10 unbeaten tests (8 wins, 2 draws) from debut. In Dhoni's streak,

however, there was a period of injury in which VirenderSehwag led the side

(for 3 draws). So India's unbeaten streak was for 14 tests, of which 11 were

Dhoni's.

Endorsements

MS Dhoni signed with Kolkata-based celebrity management company Gameplan

Sports in April 2005.[70][71] Currently Dhoni has 20 endorsements, only

Shahrukh Khan has more (21).[72] In 2007 Dhoni had 17 endorsements.[73] In

July 2010, Dhoni tied up with Rhiti Sports Management and Mindscapes and

has been promised a minimum guarantee of Rs 210 crore over the next three

years.[74]

BRANDS ENDORSED BY DHONI

1. PEPSI: YOUNGISTAN MERI JAAN

Pepsi has always tried to tap the young

segment of India through their promotions. Beginning from the famous “Ahaa”

series of ads to the “Yah Dil Mange More” to today’s “Youngistan Meri Jann”,

Pepsi has always made ads to attract the youth. They have always chosen the

young stars, may not be established, as a face of young India. So the main

reason of using Dhoni is same in case of the latest Youngistan Meri Jann ads.

BRAND PERSONALITY: 1. 1. The brand is vibrant, energetic. 2. 2. Pepsi is an intelligent brand which attaches itself with fun and enjoyment.

1. 3. It also shows its daring attitude, mischievous behavior and outgoing nature. 2. 4. There is nothing opaque about the product and brand.

ENDORSER’S PERSONALITY

1. 1. Dhoni is a young guy with a daring personality. 2. 2. He is intelligent yet humble and full of life. 3. 3. He is the leader of young team, fun loving young gentleman with transparent character.

Now, Pepsi has chosen Dhoni as they think…..

• Celebrity’s fit with the brand image : (5/5)

As mentioned earlier, the virtue of Dhoni matches with the embedded

traits of the soft drink. Either of the personalities, be it Dhoni’s or be it

Pepsi’s, joins as two consecutive part of a jigsaw puzzle. So Dhoni is a

perfect match for Pepsi’s brand image

• Celebrity—Target audience match: (5/5)

Young generation of India love Dhoni, worship the man, salute his virtue and

get thrilled to experience his presence. The young generation nowadays prefers

to be like Dhoni if not Sachin. So Dhoni is a idle to the young generation of India

and using Dhoni as a brand endorser is a master stroke by Pepsi.

• Celebrity associated values: (5/5)

The value associated with Dhoni is very high. Dhoni’s attitude, his

transparency, maturity acted as a magnet which attract not only the

youth but also the older generation. So Dhoni’s presence in an

advertisement creates a positive vibe for the product in the mind of

consumer which force them to think about the endorsed product.

• Costs of acquiring the celebrity: (3/5)

Cost to use Dhoni as the endorser of Pepsi is very high but as a

multinational company it is insignificant if they consider the high

brand awareness they are creating through Dhoni. • Celebrity controversy risk: (5/5)

It is nil as Dhoni is known as good boy among the celebrities. So

low controversy level increase the brand image of self as well as

of Pepsi.

• Celebrity popularity: (5/5)

It is already mentioned that Dhoni is one of the most popular persons in India.

One can find a man who might not know how our PresidentPratibha Patil looks

like, but he must be a fan of Dhoni. This popularity reduce Pepsi’s half of job as

an advertiser.

• Celebrity physical attractiveness: (4/5)

As a sportsman he possesses an athletic body. But in addition to that he is

manly looking and with a macho image and a deadly smile, which makes him

more attractive and appealing.

• Celebrity credibility: (5/5)

Celebrity is being judged that whether he has the right to appear in

the advertisement and indirectly advice the consumers what to do

and what not to. Dhoni is captain of Indian cricket team and not only

that, he has proven his capability of performing under immense

pressure several times which is obviously created creditworthiness.

• Celebrity prior endorsements: (4/5)

Prior advertisements with several companies has proven the

spontaneity, acting ability and confidence in front of camera.

So as all the points that make an Ad popular and successful among the

target audience is above average. So there is an ample amount of

chances that the ad published in the print media, get the success.