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MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)
In a poignant tribute to the legendary former Indian captain, MS Dhoni, the Indian Cricket Board has decided to retire the iconic No. 7 jersey. This revered shirt became synonymous with Dhoni's illustrious career, particularly as India's most successful captain. Following in the footsteps of honouring Sachin Tendulkar's No. 10 shirt, the Board has decided to add Dhoni's No. 7 to the list of retired jerseys.
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Sources have revealed that the Board has communicated its decision to the players in the Indian team that they are no longer permitted to wear the No. 7 jersey while representing the national side. A report in the Indian Express further affirmed that the No. 7 shirt is now officially off-limits for Indian players.
A senior board official highlighted, "The young players and current Indian team players have been told not to pick M. S. Dhoni's number 7 jersey. The board has decided to retire Dhoni's t-shirt for his contribution to the game. A new player can't get No. 7, and No. 10 was already off the list of available numbers."
Shardul Thakur had donned the number 10 jersey!
While pacer Shardul Thakur briefly wore the No. 10 shirt during his early days on the Indian team, it was retired following a widely discussed episode. In the case of the No. 7 jersey, the board acted promptly, ensuring that the number was no longer available for players to choose from.
The board official further disclosed that a total of 60 numbers have been currently allotted to players on the Indian team. "At present, 60-odd numbers are designated for the regulars in the Indian team and those in contention. So 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 official.
This symbolic retirement of Dhoni's No. 7 jersey serves as a fitting tribute to a cricketing icon who left an indelible mark on Indian cricket with his leadership, wicketkeeping prowess, and memorable performances on the field. Fans had earlier demanded this, and now the board has accepted their demands.