MS Dhoni’s achievement as a cricketer is surreal, to say the least. Coming from a small town of Ranchi, the 43-year-old has etched his name in the history books as one of the finest captains.

Dhoni is the only skipper in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies – 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. He also led Team India to the No. 1 rankings in Test cricket.

While Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings. He has captained CSK to five IPL titles as well.

Dhoni’s journey and success inspired many players from India’s smaller cities to pursue career in cricket. The trend further increased after the IPL started in 2008.

Speaking at ALLEN Career Institute's nationwide student summit, 'Sangam', MS Dhoni recently shared a powerful message for those coming from small towns.

"Small-town dreams can conquer the world — success is not dependent on a pin code anymore. If a boy from Ranchi can achieve it, then with the right guidance, dedication, and mind-set, anyone can," Dhoni said.

Addressing a student's question on dealing with pressure, Dhoni highlighted the importance of preparation over results.

"Focus on the preparation that happens behind the scenes; this is what leads to composure on the big stage and the results that follow. Live in the present and enjoy every moment — I never thought about playing for India; I only focused on giving my best in every match I played while growing up."

Dhoni also expressed his views on mental resilience and the lessons sports teach. "Success and failure are part of life. The key is to learn from failures and keep moving forward. Respect for leaders, embracing challenges, and hard work are irreplaceable values that define success."

CSK splashed INR 4 crore retain the services of MS Dhoni ahead of the mega-auction last November. He will feature in the IPL 2025 season as an uncapped player.