NEW DELHI: On December 23, 2004, a long-haired young cricketer from Ranchi made his international debut in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram. His innings lasted just one ball as he was run out for zero – a false start to what would become one of the most illustrious careers in cricketing history. That young boy was none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Two decades later, Dhoni is celebrated as one of cricket’s greatest captains and wicketkeepers, leaving an indelible mark on both Indian and global cricket.
Dhoni remains the only captain in history to have won all three ICC trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. He also led India to the pinnacle of the ICC Test rankings, cementing his legacy as a leader of unparalleled success.
His impact extended to franchise cricket, where he guided the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to 10 IPL finals and five championships, a joint record in the league’s history. Even after retiring from international cricket on August 15, 2020, Dhoni continued to shine in the IPL, becoming a beloved figure known affectionately as “Thala” by CSK fans.
Dhoni’s on-field achievements speak volumes. In ODIs, he amassed 10,773 runs in 350 matches at an average of 50.57, with 10 centuries and 73 fifties. In Tests, he scored 4,876 runs in 90 matches at 38.09, including six hundreds. His T20I career saw him scoring 1,617 runs at 37.60 in 98 matches.
As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni set benchmarks with his lightning-quick glovework, recording 256 catches and 38 stumpings in ODIs, 444 dismissals (321 catches and 123 stumpings) in Tests, and 91 dismissals (57 catches and 34 stumpings) in T20Is.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Dhoni’s international debut, Chennai Super Kings paid tribute to their iconic leader with a heartfelt post on their official X handle: “The era – MaSterpiece! On this day, 20 years ago, a long-haired young boy stepped onto the field and you know the rest.”
From a rocky debut to becoming one of the most celebrated figures in cricket, Dhoni’s journey is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and unparalleled skill. As the cricketing world honours two decades since his debut, the legacy of “Captain Cool” continues to inspire millions.
