Mahendra Singh Dhoni who powered India to two World Cup triumphs was awarded the country's third highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on Monday.
Former skipper who still plays for the limited-overs side received the coveted award in his official Lieutenant Colonel uniform incidentally on the same day when he led India to its second World Cup victory seven years ago in 2011.
The 37-year-old who is arguably hailed as the most successful Indian captain has won many laurels during his illustrious career. Besides being the only Indian player to have received the ICC ODI Player of the Year award twice in 2008 and 2009, Dhoni has also been the proud recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2007 and the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour in 2009.
It was under his captaincy that India won all the three ICC tournaments- ICC World T20 trophy, Champions Trophy, and ICC World Cup. He is also credited to have led India to the number-one spot on the ICC’s Test rankings in 2009.
Meanwhile, fans took to Twitter to congratulate ‘Captain Cool’.
Congrats @msdhoni on your Padma Bhushan award. Fittingly given on the anniversary of our WC triumph. I am sure more such honors are on the way. #PadmaBhushan #MSDhoni
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) April 2, 2018
India’s star cueist Pankaj Advani who has bagged a total of 19 titles, including winning gold twice at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010 was also awarded the Padma Bhushan with Dhoni.
