From the mane that hit the headlines back in 2004 to the crisp and shrewd thinking brain that led India to innumerable victories, MS Dhoni has come a long way. They say, the brain and brawn is a lethal combination and Dhoni is synonymous to both in his own way. 

He made his presence felt in just his fifth ODI appearance (against Pakistan) as he muscled his way to a 123-ball 148 that got the world of cricket buzzing. Soon he scored a swashbuckling 183 off 145 deliveries against Sri Lanka that set up a handsome victory for India while chasing a target of 299.

MS Dhoni the batsman had well and truly arrived. It didn’t take long to showcase his leadership qualities as well when he was handed over the responsibility of leading a young side in the 2007 T20 World Cup. 

This marked the beginning of a new era for India as the team went on to win the first ever T20 World Cup, the 2008 CB Series in Australia, the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2008 and a historic Test series victory in New Zealand in 2009. In the same year, Dhoni lead the side to the pinnacle of Test cricket which won him plaudits from the cricketing know how. He even marshalled the Chennai Super Kings to title victories in the Indian Premier League and Champions League T20 in 2010. After being crowned world champions in 2011, Dhoni added yet another trophy in his cabinet winning the 2013 ICC Champions trophy in England.

Perhaps one of the fiercest hitters of the cricket ball, Dhoni along the years earned himself a reputation of a finisher. His ability to stay calm and composed in tense situations and finish the game for his side single-handedly had everyone awestruck, a quality that many yearn for. Calmness epitome, captain Marvel, Dhoni remains to be one of the most loved and celebrated cricketers and an inspiration for many.