Number 7 is synonymous with some of the biggest sporting superstars. Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has used No. 7 and made it a brand while the same is the case with India’s World Cup-winning former captain MS Dhoni.
Dhoni has been using 7 as his shirt number right from his international debut in 2007 and the legend of the number has grown over the years. Dhoni opened up about the reason behind him choosing No. 7, ruling out any superstitious angle to it.
Speaking to fans during a virtual interaction held by India Cements, the parent group of the owners of Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni said 7 is a number that is close to his heart. Dhoni added that he has been hearing people talk about the significance of No. 7 over the years but it was for a simple reason that he chose the number.
“A lot of people initially thought that 7 is a lucky number for me and all of that. But I chose the number for a very simple reason. I was born on the 7th of July. So it’s the 7th day of the 7th month, that was the reason,” Dhoni said.
“Rather than getting to all the different things as to what number is a good number and all, I thought I will use my date of birth as the number.
“Then whenever people kept asking me, I kept adding to the answer. 81 was the year, 8-1 is again 7, 7 is a very neutral number. People actually kept telling me, I started absorbing it and I started telling it to others in the same way.
“A lot of people said 7 is a neutral number and even if it doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t really go against you. That also I added to my answer.
“I am not very superstitious about it, but it’s one number that is close to my heart and I have kept it over the years with me,” he added.
