MSD birthday special: A look back at MS Dhoni's untold love story with Sakshi

Indian national team cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrates his 39th birthday on Tuesday (July 7) as the veteran wicket-keeper batsman edges ever so close to his final years as a cricketer.

While fans are fully aware of Dhoni's undying love and commitment for his country, who also served for the Indian Army, many still don't know about how he fell in love with his wife -- Sakshi Singh Rawat -- all those years ago.

Mahi and Sakshi are definitely one of the cutest couples of the cricketing world, who recently completed their 10th marriage anniversary earlier this month. 

The father of Sakshi and MS used to work in the same company in Ranchi, and they were family friends. They even went to the same school DAV Shyamali in Ranchi. Dhoni’s family however moved and the duo lost track.

Like a Bollywood movie of yore, the couple ended up meeting in Kolkata in 2007 where Sakshi was working as an intern at Taj Bengal and was introduced to MSD by her manager Yudhajit Dutta.

And as dashing Dhoni was completely clean bowled by Sakshi, sparks flew. 

He (Dhoni) took her number from Dutta but when he messaged she thought someone was playing a prank! Sakshi is a hopeless romantic who has seen Twilight 10 times and she found his Edward in Dhoni finally!

The duo first started dating back in 2008 after some neat texting from Captain Cool (we assume). Sakshi even attended his birthday party in 2008 and because Dhoni couldn’t spend much time with her, Captain Cool dropped her back to her relative’s place.

When the duo got married, only a handful of people got to know about their plan and even the media was in the dark. The couple got married on July 4, 2010, and Dhoni’s friends from sports, politics and Bollywood were in attendance.

Later in 2015, Mahi and Sakshi welcomed their daughter Ziva who easily became a crowned jewel to their eyes.

Here’s Wishing Thala Dhoni & Sakshi, on a Super Ten. Wishing your #yellove’ly partnership grows stronger and brighter!@msdhoni @SaakshiSRawat @ChennaiIPL#HappyAnniversaryMahiSakshi #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/i3MEO2ByFL

— Whistle Podu Army ® - CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) July 4, 2020

Before marriage, Dhoni skippered Team India to win the inaugural World T20 tournament in September 2007, and post-marriage he helped India win the 2011 ICC World Cup on home soil as they beat Sri Lanka.

In March 2013, Dhoni became India’s most successful Test captain, eclipsing Sourav Ganguly’s record of 21 victories from 49 test matches.

Even Sourav Ganguly, former Indian skipper and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) preside, acknowledged that Dhoni was the all-time greatest captain and that his record spoke for itself. 

A proud patriot Mahi even admits that he loves his country more and has told Sakshi that she’s the ‘third most important thing in his life’.

He once said: "I love my country. I tell my wife she is only the third most important thing after my country and my parents, in that order. The point is that while I am an Indian cricketer I will devote myself to that cause. Cricket is not everything, not by any means, but it is a large part of who I am. Therefore, I want to play in all formats of the game and to play as much as possible because before long it will be over. Then I’ll focus more on the Army!"

"Sakshi provides the spark I might sometimes need. Jokes aside, she is the person to whom I have a reference. She is both loving and inspirational. Sometimes she travels with me, but cricket is easier without having to ensure her safe passage. One day, we will see the sights together and she says that then, can she please move to number two on the list of my priorities! But for the moment I am here to play cricket. I have been given this honour to play for my country so I want to see it through," he added.

MS was really close to added yet another World Cup title under his belt, but unfortunately, India crashed out of the 2019 World Cup semi-final after facing an unfortunate loss to New Zealand.

Since then, the veteran wicket-keeper-batsman has not featured for the Men In Blue.