GUWAHATI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the retirement of the No. 7 jersey, which was prominently worn by former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni throughout his international and IPL career.
Dhoni, one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history, played his last game for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final. He later declared his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Since then, no Indian cricketer has donned the No. 7 jersey, symbolising the end of an era in Indian cricket.
This move follows the BCCI's earlier decision to retire the No. 10 jersey worn by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. After Tendulkar's retirement in 2013, the No. 10 jersey remained untouched until Shardul Thakur wore it in 2017. Subsequently, the BCCI opted to retire the No. 10 jersey as a mark of respect for Tendulkar's iconic career.
Speaking to the media, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said, “This decision by the BCCI is keeping in mind the contribution of MS Dhoni in national as well as international cricket and is an honour for him. Jersey number 7 was an identity for MS Dhoni, and to prevent that brand from being diluted, this step taken by BCCI is worth appreciating.”