MS Dhoni made his debut on December 23, 2004 in an ODI in Bangladesh and from that point in time, he achieved greatness which changed cricket forever.
When a cricketer from the small town of Ranchi burst onto the Indian cricket team scene, it was considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one had expected that an individual from a small town held the power to change the very face of Indian cricket. However, MS Dhoni was no ordinary man. Filled with passion and quiet determination, MS Dhoni went on to change the face of cricket forever. After a humble beginning, MS Dhoni went on to change the concept of wicketkeeper batsman in India. After he assumed the captaincy, MS Dhoni became the epitome of greatness as he went on to make India great on the world stage. An ICC World T20 win, an ICC World Cup win after 28 years and that too at home and an ICC Champions Trophy to boot in 2013. MS Dhoni also helped India become the No.1 Test side, in addition to many Asia Cups and IPL as well as Champions League T20 trophies.
However, the journey for greatness began on December 23, 2004 during the ODI in Bangladesh. On the occasion of his 16 years of MS Dhoni's brilliance, it will be interesting to see what MS Dhoni did on his debut in each format for India. What was MS Dhoni's contribution in ODI, Test, T20I, IPL and World Cups and also as captain. Here is a look at each of the occasions in which MS Dhoni performed, did not perform and had middling performances in his entire 16-year career.
1. MS Dhoni ODI debut 2004
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When MS Dhoni burst onto the scene in 2004 thanks to his exploits in the India A series in Kenya and Zimbabwe, he was touted as the next big thing. Captain Sourav Ganguly included him in the side for the sreries against Bangladesh but in his first ODI in Chattogram, things went horribly wrong. MS Dhoni was run-out for a golden duck as he was sent back by Mohammad Kaif. Ot was a terrible start to his cricket career but it shows that one cannot judge a book by it's cover. MS Dhoni would go on to score 10773 runs with 10 centuries and hit 229 sixes. MS Dhoni would redefine the art of finishing in grand style. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. MS Dhoni Test debut
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After his exploits in 2004 and 2005, MS Dhoni was included in the Test team as a wicketkeeper batsman. Dhoni had sparkled in the ODIs against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in which he blasted centuries and redefined the art of batting aggressively. In a rain-impacted Test match in Chennai against Sri Lanka in 2005, MS Dhoni hit 30 against a tough bowling attack. MS Dhoni went on to play in 90 Tests. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. MS Dhoni T20I debut
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In 2006, the Indian cricket team were soon introduced to the Twenty20 International format. India played their first-ever Twenty20 International against South Africa in 2006 at Johannesburg. Virender Sehwag was the captain of the side. Just like in ODIs, MS Dhoni was bowled for a two-ball duck by Chaarl Laangeveldt. However, India went on to win the match by six wickets thanks to a solid knock from Dinesh Karthik. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. MS Dhoni IPL debut
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When MS Dhoni helped India win the World T20 in 2007, the cricketing world had changed. A Twenty20 revolution was afoot in India and the world. This led to the creation of the Indian Premier League in 2008. MS Dhoni was one of the marquee players of Chennai Super Kings and in their first match against Kings XI Punjab in Chepauk, MS Dhoni had a modest beginning. MS Dhoni managed two runs but Michael Hussey's 116 and his captaincy helped Chennai Super Kings notch up a massive total. MS Dhoni had started his IPL career on the ultimate high. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. MS Dhoni captaincy debut
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In 2007, following India's disastrous 2007 World Cup campaign, the Indian cricket team wanted new blood in the team. MS Dhoni stepped up and became the captain of the Indian cricket team during the 2007 World T20. In his first game as captain, MS Dhoni could not contribute much as the game against Scotland was abandoned. In the next game against Pakistan, MS Dhoni showed incredible innovation with his captaincy as India managed to tie the game and win the bowl-out. In that match, he contributed 33. This was the start of a special period for India. He made his ODI captaincy debut in 2007 against Australia in Bangalore but that match also ended in a no-result. MS Dhoni went on to become the Test captain in 2008 and he registered his first win when India won a game against South Africa in Kanpur on a dust bowl. (Image credit: Twitter)
