On This Day in 2016, MS Dhoni equaled Ricky Ponting record of most international matches as skipper. The former skipper with 332 matches now holds the world record of most matches as skipper. Coincidentally same day three years later he becomes the second most capped player after the little master.

The journey from backwaters of cricketing world to zenith of international cricket.

Just before my debut, I was in Kenya. When I scored a century several people asked me where I belong to. When I said Ranchi, they said, okay, after partition your Mummy and Papa must have come to this side. I said not Karachi, Ranchi.

When Sairaj Bahutule led India A tour Kenya for triangular series in 2004 no one thought it will give India her finest skipper and gloveman. MS Dhoni’s first impact innings was against the arch-rivals Pakistan where he guided Indians to victory with stupendous 70 runs knock. The Pakistan team was lead by Misbah Ul Haq with Kamran Akmal donning the gloves. He didn’t get the opportunity to bat against Kenya as Bhandari and Bahutule skittled out host for a paltry score. Although he managed to effect five dismissals including one stumping. Once against Pakistan batting at first down MS smashed a century and put on 207 stand with opener Gambhir. MS love for Pakistan continued as he smashed match-winning 119 runs to chase down 235 runs target. He was awarded MOS for his superlative batting performance.

He was also at the top of table in terms of number of dismissal.

Let’s rewind his career back to first-class days to have a better picture of his growth.

He didn’t have the chance to bat in his debut List A, Ranji Trophy one day match against Assam at Keenan Stadium in 2000. The next day Bihar was to play against Assam, MS in his first-class debut match played a cameo of 40 runs in first inns followed by unbeaten 68 in second each studded with eight fours. The year was quite ordinary in the earlier part, in December at Calcutta Cricket and Football Ground, Calcutta he busted with 73 ball 84 against Tripura. The onslaught included 10 fours and 4 sixes.

5th January 2001, Eden Gardens MS Dhoni scored unbeaten 114 against Bengal, his first first-class century.

In December 2002 Polytechnic Institute Ground, Agartala he fought alone against Rohan Gavaskar lead Bengal. The very next match he registers his then highest list A score to guide Bihar to victory against Assam, then followed it with 74 runs knock against Orissa. The early next year he was the second most leading run-scorer in Deodhar Trophy for East Zone.

The 2003-04 Ranji Trophy he showed promise with bat and amassed 282 runs at an average of 94. The purple patch continued as he emerged as a leading run-scorer in 2003-04 Deodhar Trophy. On the backdrop of his consistent performance, he was selected for the Zimbabwe – Kenya tour.

The first match he played against Zimbabwe Select XI at Harare Sports Club he affected six dismissals in first inns followed by five in second inns. Zimbabwe was lead by keeper Tatenda Taibu .

“Same thing about his batting…different technique, but great hand-eye co-ordination. But I don’t think it’s only his hand-eye coordination (for batting that worked) but probably his mental toughness.

“Normally if you don’t look the part, so to speak, it’s easy for coaches to just put you aside. But Dhoni backs that (his unique style) up with statistics,” Taibu on Dhoni

The triangular tournament was followed by first-class matches between India A and Kenya. India tour of Kenya saw three wicketkeepers Dinesh Karthik, Naman Ojha, and MS Dhoni (Deep Dasgupta missed).

“Zimbabwe is a special place for me. The reason being, before playing for India, this was the tour (in 2004) which really gave me the chance to go into the limelight and get a chance to play for India. So it is a very special place for me. I have always enjoyed coming here.” MS

The Kenya Triangular Tournament bagged him Indian team cap. On 23rd December Dhoni and 2007, T20 final hero Joginder Sharma made their international debut. Bangladesh gloveman ran MS out for duck, remaining match he didn’t had much chance.

On returning to India he scored centuries in Deodhar and NKP Salve Challenger Trophy. He was selected for home series against Pakistan, the series which shaped his international career. The swashbuckling inns of 148 off 123 ball, Call of a legend. The series gave India a keeper who can score, prior to him India’s most potent ODI wicketkeeper-batsman was makeshift Rahul Dravid. The Indian Oil series, Videocon Tri-series register a couple of half-centuries.

The next landmark series was against Sri Lanka where he amassed the then world record 346 runs most by any keeper in a bilateral series. It was the eve of Diwali but the celebration at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, India had already begun thanks to majestic knock by Dhoni. The way MS Dhoni destroyed Lankans and single-handedly chased down a target of 299 with utmost ease. Promoted by Rahul Dravid to bat on number three,to accelerate the run chase, what he did is now a history. Such was his aggression that he even outscored Virender Sehwag, not a normal sight. It is the highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODI history. At that time this was the highest score in the second innings the innings included 10 massive sixes and match ended in 46.1 over only. The art of finishing matches with six, which he does more often than not.

The 2004-05 Pakistan established him as a proper wicket-keeper batsman in the Indian team and the rest is history.

The world saw dawn of new era of Yuvraj and Dhoni. 2008 and 2009 ICC – International Cricket Council ODI Player of the year.

The emergence of Dhoni was an answer to the long term solution of a keeper who can bat. To see it in the context from 2000 onwards till Dhoni debut India tried as many as ten wicketkeepers including Rahul Dravid.

MS Dhoni rise into international cricket gave Ranchi a place in international cricket map. 2013,39000 capacity stadium was inaugurated in Ranchi.

Some of the selected memories in pictures

2007 ICC T20 World Cup

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

2013 ICC Champions Trophy

2010 ,2011,2018 IPL – Indian Premier League Champions

2010 and 2014 Champions League Twenty20

2009 Test Championship mace.