MS Dhoni retirement: Finishing off in style

Aug 15, 2020

<b>A sign of things to come?</b> MS Dhoni's India debut in Dec 2004 didn't go to plan; he was run out for a duck. Three forgettable innings followed, but, on April 5, 2005, he was promoted to No. 3. The result? A 123-ball 148 that helped seal a 58-run win v Pakistan. "The cameras used to pass by me; now they're stopping for me," Dhoni would say of the attention

A sign of things to come? MS Dhoni's India debut in Dec 2004 didn't go to plan; he was run out for a duck. Three forgettable innings followed, but, on April 5, 2005, he was promoted to No. 3. The result? A 123-ball 148 that helped seal a 58-run win v Pakistan. "The cameras used to pass by me; now they're stopping for me," Dhoni would say of the attention•AFP

<b>Taking the lead:</b> September 2007, Dhoni is appointed India captain. And it's in a global event. The World T20. No pressure

Taking the lead: September 2007, Dhoni is appointed India captain. And it's in a global event. The World T20. No pressure•AFP

<b>"Dhoni! Finishes off in style!"</b> April 2, 2011. The final, World Cup 2011. Ravi Shastri's words boomed on air as the daddy of all Dhoni sixes, the crowning glory in his 14-year international career, sent a cricket-mad country into a tizzy

"Dhoni! Finishes off in style!" April 2, 2011. The final, World Cup 2011. Ravi Shastri's words boomed on air as the daddy of all Dhoni sixes, the crowning glory in his 14-year international career, sent a cricket-mad country into a tizzy•AFP / Getty Images

<b>The big Test:</b> February 2013. When Dhoni crashed and caressed the highest score of his 90-Test career, in Chennai, 224 runs at a strike rate of 84.52. With Kohli, he added 128 runs to help consign Australia to an eight-wicket defeat

The big Test: February 2013. When Dhoni crashed and caressed the highest score of his 90-Test career, in Chennai, 224 runs at a strike rate of 84.52. With Kohli, he added 128 runs to help consign Australia to an eight-wicket defeat•BCCI

<b>On the big screen:</b> For an athlete as feted as Dhoni, it was only a matter of time before a biopic on him hit the theatres. And when it did, in 2016, it set the cash registers ringing. The late Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput (right) played him in <i>MS Dhoni: The Untold Story</i>

On the big screen: For an athlete as feted as Dhoni, it was only a matter of time before a biopic on him hit the theatres. And when it did, in 2016, it set the cash registers ringing. The late Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput (right) played him in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story•AFP

<b>Beating Gilchrist:</b> Oct-Nov 2005. India hosted Sri Lanka for seven ODIs. In game three, with the target 299, Rahul Dravid sent him in at No. 3 and hit the jackpot. Dhoni's unbeaten 183 was the highest ODI score by a keeper, beating Adam Gilchrist's 172. Dhoni would be Player of the Series, prompting this treatment from Yuvraj Singh

Beating Gilchrist: Oct-Nov 2005. India hosted Sri Lanka for seven ODIs. In game three, with the target 299, Rahul Dravid sent him in at No. 3 and hit the jackpot. Dhoni's unbeaten 183 was the highest ODI score by a keeper, beating Adam Gilchrist's 172. Dhoni would be Player of the Series, prompting this treatment from Yuvraj Singh•AFP

No pressure at all. India win the inaugural World T20, in a final against Pakistan no less, with Dhoni throwing the ball to the rather unfancied Joginder Sharma in the final over of the chase. He does the job and the legend of Dhoni, the captain with great instincts, is born•Gallo Images/Getty Images

<b>Accolades:</b> Months after India lifted the World Cup, Dhoni - whose love for all things military is well-known - was conferred the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. In 2018, he became the second cricketer, after Kapil Dev, to win the prestigious Padma Bhushan - the country's third-highest civilian award

Accolades: Months after India lifted the World Cup, Dhoni - whose love for all things military is well-known - was conferred the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. In 2018, he became the second cricketer, after Kapil Dev, to win the prestigious Padma Bhushan - the country's third-highest civilian award•AFP / Getty Images

<b>Finishing touches:</b> Dhoni the finisher was feared for many a cricketing season and reason. Sample this: July 2013, a tri-series on the line, India need 15 off the last over against Sri Lanka, with one wicket in hand. Cue in 6, 4, 6 from Dhoni, who has timed his assault to target the inexperienced Shaminda Eranga

Finishing touches: Dhoni the finisher was feared for many a cricketing season and reason. Sample this: July 2013, a tri-series on the line, India need 15 off the last over against Sri Lanka, with one wicket in hand. Cue in 6, 4, 6 from Dhoni, who has timed his assault to target the inexperienced Shaminda Eranga•AFP / Getty Images

<b>Winding down?</b> A Dhoni debate raged in lead up to World Cup 2019. No longer the explosive force he once was, Dhoni's role in the India XI dominated the narrative. In January 2019, he hit three fifties in three innings in Australia, but at a strike rate of 73.10.

Winding down? A Dhoni debate raged in lead up to World Cup 2019. No longer the explosive force he once was, Dhoni's role in the India XI dominated the narrative. In January 2019, he hit three fifties in three innings in Australia, but at a strike rate of 73.10. •Getty Images

<b>Scaling the peak:</b> Under Dhoni, in December 2009, India secured the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time after handing Sri Lanka successive innings defeats

Scaling the peak: Under Dhoni, in December 2009, India secured the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time after handing Sri Lanka successive innings defeats•Associated Press

<b>And then there were three:</b> June 2013. Dhoni became the first captain to win all three major ICC trophies - the World Cup, the World T20, and the Champions Trophy, beating hosts England in the final. Typically, Dhoni was happy to let his team-mates take centre stage in post-match festivities

And then there were three: June 2013. Dhoni became the first captain to win all three major ICC trophies - the World Cup, the World T20, and the Champions Trophy, beating hosts England in the final. Typically, Dhoni was happy to let his team-mates take centre stage in post-match festivities•Getty Images

<b>Dhoni-isms:</b> <i>"You die, you die. You don't see which is the better way to die."</i> Thus said Dhoni following back-to-back whitewashes in England and Australia. Signature Dhoni wit.

Dhoni-isms: "You die, you die. You don't see which is the better way to die." Thus said Dhoni following back-to-back whitewashes in England and Australia. Signature Dhoni wit. •Hindustan Times via Getty Images

<b>The last act:</b> India's hopes of another World Cup title went up in smoke with Martin Guptill catching Dhoni short of his ground in the semi-final at Manchester. The direct hit sealed the game for New Zealand - and it would be the last time Dhoni donned the India jersey, though he officially retired only a year later.

The last act: India's hopes of another World Cup title went up in smoke with Martin Guptill catching Dhoni short of his ground in the semi-final at Manchester. The direct hit sealed the game for New Zealand - and it would be the last time Dhoni donned the India jersey, though he officially retired only a year later.•Getty Images