Exactly seven years after lighting up the Mumbai skyline with an unforgettable six, the second day of April month was a memorable one once again for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as the honorary Lieutenant Colonel received the Padma Bhushan Award, dressed in an army uniform.

It was a happy coincidence for Dhoni as he was conferred with the prestigious civilian honour on the seventh anniversary of their famous World Cup triumph.

The Indian Territorial Army had conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Dhoni on November 1, 2011, months after the country lifted its second World Cup under his leadership.

The 37-year-old Dhoni is the second Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev to receive this honour.

As his name was announced, Dhoni marched past the dignitaries present at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan before receiving the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind.

Also conferred with the Padma Bhushan was multiple world title holder cueist Pankaj Advani.

On this day in 2011, India won the World Cup final against Sri Lanka. With 10 balls to go at the Wankhede Stadium, the then-captain Dhoni ended India’s 28-year wait with a massive six.

Dhoni has been the recipient of many awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2007 and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour in 2009.

Advani also has had a distinguished career, having won gold twice at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010 and winning multiple IBSF world titles, and still going strong. Here’s a list of his 19 titles at the global level so far.

Courtesy pankajadvani.com

(With PTI inputs)