When it was the great time for one of India's greatest captains to step down from the game, Mahendra Singh Dhoni offered Sourav Ganguly one of the most unforgettable farewells by asking him to take over captaincy during the Nagpur final stages of the Test against Australia in 2008.
MS Dhoni also have invited Anil Kumble on to the stage to jointly receive the trophy, who was the then Indian captain at the start of the series but he has forced into retirement due to a shoulder injury, when he was to receive the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The MS Dhoni and his team has also formed a special revolving guard of honour for Indian crickets's greatest hero Sachin Tendulkar in 2013.
All this spoke the volumes of Dhoni's humility and awareness. MS Dhoni had not only led India to a win over their rivals, but had also ensured three of Indian Cricket's biggest legends got their due farewells.
MS Dhoni stepped as India's Cricket Team limited-overs captain leaving behind a rich legacy.
A full of confidence wicketkeeper-batsman from Jharkhand had announced himself in international cricket with a bang, after India's shocking exit from the 2007 World Cup, Dhoni had took over the reins of the ODI team from Rahul Dravid.
The arrival of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in international cricket and his rise is nothing less than like a fairytale. His list of achievements is endless but the only biggest lesson his elevation from dusty Ranchi that taught aspirants in the india’s small towns to dream big.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his debut in ODI at a time, when India were searching for a wicketkeeper-batsman, and his arrival had relieved Rahul Dravid from their responsibility.
The first assignment as Indian captain was 2007 World T20. When Dhoni had given a glimpse of what was to come for the next decade. With his aggressive intent, Dhoni carved a niche for himself and led a young team of Indian cricket in the 2007 T20 World.
There has been no looking back since making his debut, and after 90 Tests, 283 ODIs, he has the most number of dismissals in these two formats.
Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India have learnt to perform consistently and achieved much in all the formats of the sport.
India had captured the No.1 Test ranking in December 2009, and reigned for 18 months. It is true that the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent meant the conditions were favourable Indian cricket team, but still Dhoni and his boys had to go out and do their bit more.
The Indian team did that and won the 50-over World Cup after a considerable gap.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni left an imprint in the shortest format too. In 2007 India had won the World Twenty20 in South Africa under the capataincy of MS Dhoni, beating Pakistan in a dramatic finish.
In the shortest format too, Mahendra Singh Dhoni left an imprint. It was under him India won the World Twenty20 in 2007 in South Africa, beating Pakistan in a dramatic finish.
India's cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar also hailed MS Dhoni and his contribution to cricket, especially as a captain. In his tweet Sachine Tendulkar said:
"Congratulations to MSD on a wonderful career as a captain leading India to success in both T20 and ODI World Cups. I have seen him emerge from an aggressive player to a steady and decisive captain. It's a day to celebrate his successful captaincy and respect his decision. Wish MSD the very best as he continues entertaining us on the field with his exploits," Tendulkar wrote on his congratulatory message.
The man from Ranchi, the triumph was sweeter as he is making his debut as Indian captain. The Indian Premier League too got more than a glimpse of his genius as he had led the now-banned Chennai Super Kings to victory twice.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni was chased by some controversies but his journey teaches the middle class to strive & reach out for their dreams overshadows all the misgivings.
