NEW DELHI: On December 23, 2004, a long-haired younger cricketer from Ranchi made his worldwide debut in an ODI towards Bangladesh in Chattogram. His innings lasted only one ball as he was run out for zero – a false begin to what would develop into probably the most illustrious careers in cricketing historical past. That younger boy was none aside from Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
20 years later, Dhoni is well known as one in all cricket’s biggest captains and wicketkeepers, leaving an indelible mark on each Indian and international cricket.
Dhoni stays the one captain in historical past to have gained all three ICC trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. He additionally led India to the top of the ICC Take a look at rankings, cementing his legacy as a pacesetter of unparalleled success.
His influence prolonged to franchise cricket, the place he guided the Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) to 10 IPL finals and 5 championships, a joint document within the league’s historical past. Even after retiring from worldwide cricket on August 15, 2020, Dhoni continued to shine within the IPL, turning into a beloved determine identified affectionately as “Thala” by CSK followers.
Dhoni’s on-field achievements converse volumes. In ODIs, he amassed 10,773 runs in 350 matches at a mean of 50.57, with 10 centuries and 73 fifties. In Checks, he scored 4,876 runs in 90 matches at 38.09, together with six tons of. His T20I profession noticed him scoring 1,617 runs at 37.60 in 98 matches.
As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni set benchmarks together with his lightning-quick glovework, recording 256 catches and 38 stumpings in ODIs, 444 dismissals (321 catches and 123 stumpings) in Checks, and 91 dismissals (57 catches and 34 stumpings) in T20Is.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Dhoni’s worldwide debut, Chennai Tremendous Kings paid tribute to their iconic chief with a heartfelt put up on their official X deal with: “The period – MaSterpiece! On today, 20 years in the past, a long-haired younger boy stepped onto the sector and you realize the remainder.”
From a rocky debut to turning into probably the most celebrated figures in cricket, Dhoni’s journey is a testomony to perseverance, management, and unparalleled ability. Because the cricketing world honours 20 years since his debut, the legacy of “Captain Cool” continues to encourage thousands and thousands.
