MS Dhoni Padma Bhushan
MS Dhoni recieved Padma Bhushan Award from president Ramnath Kovind in New Delhi on April 2.IANS

World Cup-winning former India captain MS Dhoni on Monday, April 2, received Padma Bhushan — the country's third highest civilian award from president Ramnath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Cueist Pankaj Advani also received the coveted award as the two athletes were seen greeting each other at the award ceremony. Dhoni's wife Sakshi was also present there.

Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel, made sure he made the occasion more special by wearing the Territorial Army uniform during the award ceremony. The 36-year-old was visibly filled with pride as he marched past the dignitaries en route to collecting the award from the president after his name was announced.

Watch video: Dhoni receives Padma Bhushan from president Ramnath Kovind

The wicketkeeper-batsman was conferred with the honorary Lt colonel rank by the Territorial Army in 2011, months after he had led India to World Cup glory at home. He becomes the second Indian cricketer after 1983 World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, to be conferred with Padma Bhushan.

The former India skipper, who retired from Tests in 2014, had received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2007 and the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2009.

Notably, Dhoni received the Padma Bhushan exactly seven years after the historic day, on which he hit the winning six in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

'Wonderful to see the pride with which Dhoni wore his Territorial Amry uniform'

MS Dhoni
Dhoni marches past dignitaries to collect the coveted award on Monday, April 2.IANS
MS Dhoni Sakshi Padma Bhushan
Dhoni and Advani exchange greetings as former's wife watches on.IANS

Congratulatory messages started pouring in for lieutenant colonel Dhoni as Twitter users were awed by the cricketer's decision to wear the army uniform at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"It was absolutely wonderful to see the pride with which @msdhoni wore his Territorial army uniform while receiving the well deserved #PadmaBhushan today, exactly 7 years after we won the 2011 World Cup. Heartiest congratulations!" former India batsman VVS Laxman wrote on Twitter.

Certainly, not many could have echoed the feelings of Dhoni's fans better.

From Team India coach Ravi Shastri to his former Chennai Super Kings teammate, R Ashwin, quite a few Indian cricketers heaped praise on Dhoni. IBTimes India has compiled a list of reactions. Check them out here.