Dhoni Is A Name. Thala Is An Emotion.

ICC world Cup '2011. ICC Champions Trophy '2013. ICC World T20 Cup '2007. IPL trophy '2010 '2011 '2018. CLT20 '2010 '2014.

The Cricketer. The Batsmen. The Finisher. The Wicket Keeper. The Tactician. The Hard-Hitter. The Captain.

Ranchi's hero started his career with a duck against Bangladesh on December 23,2004. It's been almost 14 years since Indian cricket witnessed a Kharagpur Ticket Collector becoming the Crowned Captain of the Indian Cricket Team.

Summer evenings are spent inside our home den, waiting with baited breath for the man with the jersey number "7" to enter the field. The deafening roar of Chepauk after every helicopter shot is a testimony to the loyalty that thousands of people owe to Chennai's Super Lion, every IPL season. The jersey switches between yellow and blue every year, but the lightning stumpings and the fierce sixes never goes out of style. The man holds the record for the highest number of stumpings and he's the only Captain to have won trophies for the team across every format possible.

Every time India needs a miracle to win, it's always this man who steps up as the Saviour. Every time India loses against a team, it's always this man who moves forward to take the blame. And needless to say, every time India lifts the trophy, it's always this man standing in the background, smiling like he had nothing to do with the victory.

He's been our level headed tactician at crucial moments. He's been our composed Captain when all hell broke loose. He's been our epitome of hope when everybody else let us down. He's been our household star, smiling his way to glory without any pomp or partying.

Dhoni Bhai, you've never been just another Indian cricketer for us. To us, you've always been our "Thala", our family, our idol, our star. Yours will be the name that's resonating at every corner of Chepauk and yours will be the face that's etched in our memories forever. We love you Thala♥💛

*cue Marana Mass bgm*

"Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lifts the World Cup after 28 years. The party's started in the dressing room. And it's an Indian Captain, who's been absolutely magnificent, in the night of the final.... ."