Former Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the Padma Bhushan Award for the year 2018. Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India on 2nd April 2018.

Born on 7th July 1981 in Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand, India) India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his debut for India in the year 2004 under the captaincy of Saurav Ganguly. Dhoni made his one day international (ODI) debut against Bangladesh on 23rd December 2004. Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his test debut against Sri Lanka on 2nd December 2005. Dhoni made his twenty20 international debut against South Africa on 1st December 2006. Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his debut as wicket keeper batsmen. Based on his performance in the domestic level, the selectors of the Indian cricket team on consultation with the then captain of India Saurav Ganguly gave Dhoni a chance to play for the country. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni or MSD or Mahi was the captain of the Indian cricket team from 2007 to 2016. He took over the ODI captaincy from Rahul Dravid in 2007 and in 2008 he succeeded Anil Kumble as the captain of the Indian test team. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a lower middle order right-handed batsmen who is regarded as one of the best wicketkeepers in world cricket. 

In the year 2007, Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the inaugural edition of the T20 world cup. He also received the ICC ODI player of the year award in 2008 and in 2009. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was bestowed with the Padma Shri the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India in the year 2009. On 1st November 2011, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was conferred upon the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army.