Mumbai, Dec 15: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made the decision to retire the iconic No. 7 jersey worn by former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a symbolic gesture of respect marking the conclusion of his illustrious international cricket career three years ago.

This move pays homage to Dhoni's indelible impact on Indian cricket, emphasizing the end of a cricketing era defined by his leadership and achievements. The retired jersey ensures that Dhoni's legacy, particularly his instrumental role in securing all three white-ball ICC titles, will forever be associated with the legendary No. 7.

In a precedent set by Sachin Tendulkar in 2017, whose iconic No. 10 jersey was similarly retired as a tribute to his unparalleled contributions to the sport, Dhoni's retirement from the No. 7 jersey reflects the profound respect and admiration he commands.

According to reports, the BCCI has communicated to players in the national team, including debutants, that numbers associated with Tendulkar and Dhoni are not available options. A senior Board official stated, "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."

Despite the International Cricket Council generally allowing players to choose any number from 1 to 100, India imposes limitations on jersey numbers. Currently, around 60 numbers are designated for regular and potential players in the Indian team, and these numbers are not reassigned even if a player is out of the team for a year or more.

The decision to retire the No. 7 shirt follows a similar incident involving the No. 10 shirt, which was retired after Mumbai fast bowler Shardul Thakur briefly wore it during his early days in the Indian team and faced social media trolling. The BCCI has promptly removed the No. 7 jersey from the pool of available numbers.

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