The film chronicles the inspiring journey of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a young cricketer hailing from Ranchi who rises to become the most successful captain of the Indian Cricket Team. It opens dramatically with the ICC Cricket World Cup Final (India vs Sri Lanka) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where Mahendra Singh Dhoni, portrayed by Sushant Singh Rajput, sits intently watching the live match on screen.
Feeling the adrenaline of the moment, he boldly declares his readiness to bat should the wicket fall. As the crowd roars in anticipation, Dhoni makes his way down the stairs, his determination palpable. From here, the film transitions into a poignant flashback set on July 7, 1981, the very day of Dhoni's birth in Ranchi, Bihar, India.
His father, Pan Singh (played by Anupam Kher), and his sister, Jayanti Gupta (Bhumika Chawla), form the backbone of Dhoni's early life. As a child, he takes on the role of goalkeeper for his school team, drawing the attention of his coach, Baneerji (Rajesh Sharma), who is on the lookout for a wicket-keeper for the cricket team. Though Pan Singh has aspirations for his son to pursue academics and secure a good future, he does not restrain Dhoni’s passion for sports.
Encouraged by Baneerji, Dhoni begins to concentrate on wicket-keeping, despite his desire to be a batsman. However, his innate talent shines through as he begins winning matches for his school, particularly with his remarkable batting skills. His desire to open the batting for his team finally convinces Baneerji, who reluctantly grants him permission. Dhoni's electric batting not only captivates audiences but leads to his school's triumphs.
During his Class XII exams, Dhoni impressively completes his papers in just 2.5 hours, allowing him time to participate in a corporate cricket tournament. It is here that he learns to master the iconic "helicopter" shot from a fellow player.
Mr. Dowal (Kumud Mishra), the Managing Director of MECO, tempts Dhoni with a monthly stipend of ₹1500, urging him to join his firm over SAIL, which offers a lesser amount. Dhoni soon finds himself vying for a spot on the Bihar U-19 team. Despite a promising performance against Yuvraj (Herry Tangri) in an intense match, Dhoni falls short of a century, causing him to miss the under-19 World Cup team selection—Yuvraj achieving a stunning triple century in the same game.
Yet, destiny takes a turn as Dhoni earns a place on the East Zone team in the prestigious Duleep Trophy after experiencing a setback. His friends suspect foul play on Dowal's part for not delivering important documents and for obstructing Dhoni's journey to Calcutta. Gathering their resources, Dhoni's friends arrange for a car, but they arrive just 30 minutes late to catch the flight. Fortunately, the AK Ganguly, head of Railways East Zone, learns of Dhoni’s plight and grants him a position with the Railways, offering ₹5000 monthly. After a successful trial where Dhoni dazzles with his performance, he secures the job.
Life with the Railways, however, is mundane. Frustrated with his lackluster day job yet occasionally playing for the Ranji matches, he confides in Ak Ganguly, who encourages him to pursue as much cricket as necessary without worrying about attendance.
In 2002, notable figure Jagmohan Dalmiya (Ravindra Mankan) establishes a talent agency within BCCI to scout talent from small cities. In 2003, Dhoni witnesses India’s heartbreaking loss in the World Cup on television. Subsequently, when a coworker complains about Dhoni’s attendance, he decides to leave the Railways to wholly commit to cricket.
His standout performance catches the eye of Kiran More, the national selector, leading to Dhoni's inclusion in the India A team for a tour to Zimbabwe in 2004. Although his start is shaky—facing run-outs and low scores—his breakthrough comes during a match against Pakistan, where he whacks his way to a century from a position at number three.
Amidst his ascendancy, Dhoni meets Priyanka Jha (Disha Patani) on a flight, a passionate fan of Sachin Tendulkar. Their relationship blossoms until a tragic car accident claims Priyanka’s life while Dhoni is in Pakistan.
As the narrative unfolds, we witness India’s defeat by Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup, a turning point leading to Dhoni’s resolute captaincy during the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa, which brings home the coveted title. The baton of leadership passes to Dhoni for the One Day International (ODI) team, where his strategic selections champion youth over experience.
In his pursuit of a core team for the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni's strategies pay off as India prevails in the ODI series against Australia. Soon after, Dhoni is signed by the Chennai franchise for the IPL. His personal life flourishes as he encounters Sakshi (Kiara Advani) while she works as a hotel receptionist in Kolkata. Intrigued by the fact that she has no idea who he is, Dhoni embarks on a romantic journey with her.
However, as their relationship gains media attention, Sakshi becomes uncomfortable with the spotlight. Dhoni proposes, and they are married in 2010. The narrative reaches a climactic conclusion during the 2011 World Cup final, where Dhoni makes the bold choice to promote himself in the batting order and seals India's victory with his signature "helicopter" shot.
