MS Dhoni – Indian Cricket team was through the period when Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, and Sachin Tendulkar dominated the cricket world. Though it was Sourav Ganguly who made possible what was impossible in everyone’s minds in the late 90s era. But the way MS Dhoni took the Indian Cricket to different heights it had another calibre.
Indian Cricket can be divided into two phases Pre dhoni era and post dhoni era. 2004, on this day Dhoni made his international debut against Bangladesh but got run out. In the next few innings, Dhoni was unable to score runs and was heading in the shadows. But the first century against Pakistan in the second ODI in 2005 was the sign of the Dhoni era had about to start. Dhoni’s hard-hitting abilities with that HBK bat and his long hairs caught everyone’s attention.
Dhoni had rocket launched the cricket world with unbeaten 183 runs against Sri Lanka in the same year 2005 which featured 15 fours and 10 sixes. As the year proceed Dhoni had been on the team as the regular player for various campaigns. After India exited from the 2007 World Cup, cricket had almost over in nations like India. But it was Dhoni who challenged the uncertainties and reverse the fortunes of Indian cricket.
2007 T20 World Cup
2007 inaugural T20 World Cup, it was Dhoni’s smart mind who helped the team to lift the world cup. Though it was a team effort from Yuvraj Singh six sixes to defeating the almighty Aussies in their golden era. But Dhoni smart choices on every occasion proved right and turned out team India victorious. CB series victory 2008, 2011 World Cup, and 2013 champions trophy Dhoni has all in his cabinet among other Indian captains. Apart from that Dhoni has the most successful captain in IPL history.
Dhoni was a household name among fans since his debut and there was the attachment when he came in to bat. But the way he bats before the captaincy stint was the emotion. One of the famous encounters had happened against Shoaib Akhtar in the test when Dhoni took the pacer to cleaners in no time. Those classical hook shots from dhoni stunned the crowd and team India was back into the match.