Magazine : 
BCCI Announces Retirement of MS Dhoni's No.7 Jersey
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen to officially retire the iconic No. 7 jersey worn by former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a decision made three years after his retirement from international cricket. This symbolic gesture is a tribute to Dhoni's significant contributions to Indian cricket, signifying the conclusion of an era following his retirement. It serves as a recognition of his outstanding achievements and leadership, ensuring that his legacy will forever be linked to the distinguished No. 7 jersey.
Having led India to victory in all three ICC white-ball tournaments - the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013 - while donning the No. 7 jersey, the former captain has left an indelible mark. Similar recognition was accorded to Sachin Tendulkar in 2017 when his iconic No. 10 jersey was retired, honoring his legendary career and significant contributions to cricket. According to reports, the BCCI has communicated to national team players, especially debutants, that numbers associated with Tendulkar and Dhoni are not open for selection.
"The young players and current Indian team players have been told not to pick M S Dhoni’s Number 7 jersey. The BCCI 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", said a senior Board official. While the ICC generally permits players to select any number from 1 to 100, in India, there are limitations on the available options for jersey numbers.
"At present, 60-odd numbers are designated to 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", said a BCCI official added. Mumbai fast bowler Shardul Thakur briefly donned the No. 10 shirt during his initial days in the Indian team and was promptly trolled by fans on social media. Yet, following a much-discussed incident, that number was retired. As for the No. 7 shirt, the BCCI promptly removed it from players' availability.
The act of retiring jersey numbers holds significant meaning in honoring outstanding athletes and safeguarding their lasting legacies. Figures such as Diego Maradona in football and Michael Jordan in basketball experienced the retirement of their jersey numbers as a testament to their exceptional contributions to their sports. This symbolic gesture serves as a means for teams to express homage to these legends, ensuring that their profound influence on the game remains eternally acknowledged.
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