Published 11:24 IST, September 14th 2019
This day that year: MS Dhoni took over India's captaincy 12 years back
MS Dhoni led India for the very first time on this day in 2007 in the inaugural edition of the ICC World T20 which India went on to win in a nail-biting match.
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MS Dhoni is hailed to be one of India's best cricketers to have stepped on to the 22 yards and is also arguably the best captain of India as well as world cricket. Mahi's cricketing journey started way back in 2004 against Bangladesh when he was run out off the very first ball which he had faced in international cricket. However, in April 2005, he announced his arrival on the big stage with a splendid knock of 148 in the home series against arch-rivals Pakistan. Six months later, he went on to notch up his second century when he had scored an unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka at Jaipur. That score remains the highest score by a wicket-keeper batsman till date. He would go on to become a cricketing sensation in the 2005-06 season. However, it was after Team India's shameful exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 that MS Dhoni would be given a bigger responsibility, after which there was no looking back.
After losing the ODI series against England in their own backyard, Rahul Dravid stepped down from captaincy and the role was given to MS Dhoni. On September 14, 2007, MS Dhoni led India for the very first time. It was the inaugural edition of the ICC World T20 and India were set to play arch-rivals Pakistan. His first assignment as a skipper was nothing less than a roller-coaster ride. Both teams were tied at the same score of 141 and the winner had to be decided by a bowl-out. In the bowl-out, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Robin Uthappa hit the target and India won the contest as none of the Pakistani bowlers managed to hit the stumps. India would then go on the beat Pakistan once again in the final. This was a new beginning for Indian Cricket. After this win, MS Dhoni would go on to lead India to greater heights with famous triumphs which included the Australian tri-series in 2008, reaching the summit of the ICC Test rankings in 2009, Asia Cup 2010, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013, Asia Cup T20 2016, etc. After almost a decade of his glorious captaincy tenure, MS Dhoni stepped down from the post and handed over the reins to Virat Kohli.
MS Dhoni's biggest achievement as captain is India's triumph in the 2011 World Cup.
All eyes on whether MS Dhoni will play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
With 22 T20 International matches before next year's T20 World Cup in Australia, the selection committee wants to put a succession plan in place for the new panel, which will take charge as and when the BCCI elections happen. "The three choices as white-ball keepers are Pant, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan," the official said. But it is impossible to say what will happen when India have their next limited-overs assignment. All eyes will be on whether Dhoni plays the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand. The tournament is scheduled from November 8 to December 1. If Dhoni is part of that, it would mean that he will play one more year of Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings.
10:12 IST, September 14th 2019