MS Dhoni: From being runout on ODI debut to becoming Indias most successful captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the name says it all. Whether it is his countless
achievements, taking bold decisions on the field, or becoming India’s most
successful captain, MS Dhoni has done it all. On occasions when he was criticised
a lot for his drooping performances, time and again, he gave a befitting reply and
how. The long-haired Ranchi batsman and his deadly helicopter shot became the stuff
of legend. His strength, during his long hair days, could draw a biblical
comparison where Samson got his strength from his long locks.

Also read: ‘From 19:29 hrs…’: MS Dhoni announces retirement from international cricket

And when on August 15, Dhoni silently broke the news about
his retirement on Instagram, people’s heart sank a little and it had become the talk of the nation after his last outing during
the 2019 ICC World Cup. The only images that floated in front of
the eyes were of his early power-hitting days, that gem of a finish to help India lift the 2011 ICC World Cup and a very jubilant Dhoni doing the rounds after leading India to win the
inaugural T20 World Cup, among many prominent others.

Also read: ‘Mein pal do pal ka…’: MS Dhoni, the finisher, retires in style

Here’s a quick recap of how the catchphrase “Mahi maar raha
hai” came into being and Dhoni became India’s go-to captain.

Dhoni made his International debut for Team India against
Bangladesh in 2004 and the rest was history. Although his first outing in the blue
jersey wasn’t as memorable as he would want, no one knew he would go on to achieve
greatness.

Also read: MS Dhoni: Captain Cool’s cricketing career in pictures

It was India’s tour of Bangladesh and Sourav Ganguly was
leading the side, although India had won the ODI series, Dhoni was runout for
duck.

From being run out for a duck to scoring a massive 183 against
Sri Lanka, an innings changing 148 against Pakistan, Dhoni did it all, in
style.

Who could forget the legendary last over in the 2007 T20 World Cup
against Pakistan where he handed the ball to Joginder Sharma to bowl the last
over of the tie. This image is still fresh in your minds, right? That’s Dhoni
for you.

Also read: On MS Dhoni’s retirement, wife Sakshi’s response

“I’m proud to lead a team that has translated potential into
performance,” Dhoni had said while receiving the International Cricket
Council’s Test Championship mace. India had topped the Test ranking in 2009
after winning a Test series against Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue had surpassed
the might South Africans.

The Test was a altogether a different game ball. Having
scored 30 against Sri Lanka on his debut in 2005, he went to score 148 in 2006,
144 in 2011 and a whiplash of an innings when he scored 224 against
Australia at home.

Dhoni remained India’s Test captain from 2008 to 2014,
during which he played 60 matches and scored 3454 runs with an average of
40.63. During this time, he scored five centuries, took 184 catches behind the
wickets, and effected 24 stumpings.

The wicketkeeper batsman’s T20 journey has been nothing
short of wild. Again, from winning the inaugural T20 World Cup to match-changing
Ishant Sharma’s over against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 to winning
three Indian Premier League (IPL) titles with Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni would
change anything into gold by just touching it. The Midas touch, indeed.

And now, after his retirement, when he will only don the yellow jersey of CSK and not the blue of the Indian national team, things
won’t be the same without him on the field.

Also read: Dhoni, the ‘Captain Cool’ who lifted all three major ICC tournaments

It was the calm demeanor that made Indians his fans. This
was seen in how he handled the team and took brilliant decisions during
pressure situations. Perhaps this is the reason why he was rechristened as “Captain
cool”. A name he really did justice to.

“Maahi maar raha hai” will be a catchphrase forever chanted
in offices, in schools, in stadiums, everywhere. The way he has served the
Indian team is nothing short of a spectacle.

For the Indian team, Dhoni was, Dhoni is and Dhoni will for
ever remain India’s captain.