Hyderabad: Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an inspiration for many young cricketers not just from India but from the entire world. The dasher from Ranchi, who made his debut against Bangladesh under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy in 2004, has been one of the country's most impactful cricketers with 17266 runs across all formats for India.
The 38-year-old wicketkeeper turned up for the country in 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20 Internationals while affecting a staggering 829 dismissals behind the stumps.
His career is studded with several milestones including leading India to victory in the 2011 World Cup where finished the match with a six to help the 'Men in Blue' lift the coveted trophy.
1. The Arrival of Storm
Dhoni made his international debut in 2004 but announced his arrival in the game with an extra-ordinary knock of 183 not out against Sri Lanka which is the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batsman in 50 overs format.
With this innings, MSD started writing his name in the record books. The destructive batsman cemented his place in the team and in no time he became the best finisher in the game.
India was chasing a mammoth total of 299 (In those days these kinds of the total were hardly chased) to add more to India's trouble both the openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got out cheaply. And in came MSD, his innings contained 15 fours and 10 sixes. The next highest scorer in that match for India was Virender Sehwag who got out for 39.
2. Dhoni's first Gift to India - The 2007 World T20
It was Sachin's suggestion to give MSD the captainship of the shortest format of the game and MS did not disappoint his hero by winning the inaugural T20 World Cup which was hosted by South Africa. Dhoni, a new and inexperienced captain, managed to impress everyone.
Earlier, that year Team India had a disastrous campaign in the 50-overs World Cup where the team was kicked out of the tournament in the group stage.
In a close, nerve-wracking final, where Indian fans for the first time saw the glimpses of MSD's calmness, India pipped Pakistan by five runs. Joginder Sharma, given the last over by Dhoni, picked up Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket in the last over.
3. Supremacy in Test Cricket
MS Dhoni is often seen as one of the greatest cricketers of limited-overs format but very few people are aware of his excellence in the longest format of the game.
Dhoni is the first India skipper to take India on the top of ICC Test rankings in 2009. It was the era where the world cricket in whichever format was dominated by the Australian team. Under Dhoni's leadership, India were handed the ICC Test Mace for the first time.
A string of series wins over Sri Lanka (2-0) and Bangladesh (2-0), and a drawn Test series against South Africa (1-1) at home helped India pip Australia to the top spot. This was the first time since the inception of the ICC Test rankings that the mace had changed hands. Five wins in 11 Tests ensured the Dhoni’s side retained the mace for a second successive year.
4. The long wait of 28 years comes to an end - 2011 World Cup
After a dream shattering 2007 World Cup all eyes were on Team India as they were hosting the mega event in 2011. It was going to be Sachin Tendulkar's last WC and with him for many others.
With a magnificent strike into the crowd, Dhoni became the first captain in the history of cricket to win WC at home ground. It was a dream come true moment for almost every Indian fan. His tactical decision to come in at number 5 and his 91 not out brought him the ‘Man of the Match’ award.
The talisman helped India chase down a total of 275 with 10 balls to spare and with 6 wickets in hand. Dhoni ended on 91* in just 79 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixers making sure Gautam Gambhir’s efforts didn't end in waste.
5. The Captain of Captains - Only skipper with all ICC trophy
India had a bad year after 2011 high. Not just overseas but India were losing the games at home as well. In between Dhoni took some harsh decision to leave out players who were not fit according to the standard.
Dhoni had to face criticism after that and his first test came in 2013 Champions Trophy where he was leading a young Indian side. This tournament gave India one of the finest limited-overs opener Rohit Sharma. It was Dhoni's call to make Rohit open the batting.
Dhoni completed his ICC-Title trio wins with this win where India glided unbeaten to the finale where they crushed England under his able leadership.
