MS Dhoni's journey: From a goalkeeper in school to India's World Cup winning captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned 39 on Tuesday. He is arguably best captain in history of both Indian and world cricket. He is only captain to win all ICC events (World T20 2007, ICC Test mace in 2009, 2011 World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy). He has all led Men In Blue to two Asia Cup triumphs in 2010 and 2016 (T20I format) respectively. MS Dhoni had also led Men In Blue to a tri-series win Down Under against n mighty Australians in 2007/08 season. 'Thala' has been leading Chennai Super Kings since inception of IPL in 2008 and has led m to three IPL as well as two CLT20 titles as well. 

road to glory 

A 'Perfectionist', 'Genius', or a 'Gambler', one can call him whatever y like but he is proved his worth and cemented his place in history books and is also kwn for his 'Never-say-die' attitude. What makes Dhoni a great batsman is fact that he has amassed over 10,000 ODI runs especially when he had batted at eir number six or seven during most of his career in 50-overs format. 

Mahi was never a gifted cricketer in first place. He had played football and badminton during his school days. MSD was a very good goal-keeper and it was his childhood coach Mr. Keshav Banerjee who had asked him to keep wickets after he was impressed by his goal-keeping skills. Dhoni has said that Australia's three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist is his favorite wicket-keeper whereas, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is his role model when it comes to batting. 

It is unbelievable that legendary cricketer was employed as a TTE at Kharagpur Railway Station at an when domestic players are on verge of making it to national side. In fact,  Dhoni did t find a place in India's U-19 World Cup 2000 squad led by Mohammad Kaif where  Boys In Blue had won ir maiden U-19 title. neless, swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman had made most of opportunities that came his way. Slowly, but steadily, Mahi started taking baby steps in cricket. He impressed selectors while playing for India A. Finally, his efforts bore fruits as he was handed his first international cap during an ODI match against Bangladesh in December 2004 which turned out to be a forgettable one as he was run out for a first-ball duck. 

But, this rare failure was his stepping stone to greater heights. His career took off in April 2005  when he had scored a blistering 148 against arch-rivals Pakistan. His unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka later that year to date remains highest score by a wicket-keeper batsman in ODI history. MS had surpassed  Australia's three-time World Cup winner Adam Gilchrist's previous best score of 172 to achieve feat. 

Awards & Recognitions

Apart from his achievements in cricket, Dhoni has won plenty of prestigious awards as well. y include ICC ODI Player of Year in 2008, and 2009 respectively that made him first player to win this award twice, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India's fourth-highest civil hors Padma Shri Award and Horary rank of Lieutenant Colonel conferred by Indian Territorial Army.

An erly awaited comeback 

veteran stumper was last seen in action during heartbreaking World Cup 2019 semi-final loss at hands of New Zealand on July 10 last year where he had scored a painstaking 72-ball 50 and was involved in a 116-run partnership with star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja after India's early top-order collapse.

However, once Jadeja was caught while trying to match up with asking rate and MS Dhoni was run out of a sharp throw from Martin Guptill it was curtains down for Men In Blue as y lost contest by 18 runs. Dhoni has been on a sabbatical from game since n.

Meanwhile, Mahi was all set to lead three-time winners Chennai  Super Kings in IPL 2020 that was originally scheduled to get underway on March 29 but has been suspended indefinitely as of w due to global pandemic. At same time, MSD was also going to make his return to competitive cricket. 

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