MS Dhoni’s journey in international cricket began in an unexpected manner. When he made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Bangladesh in 2004, he was run out for a duck—a quiet and inauspicious start to what would become an extraordinary career. But by the time he played his final ODI match, Dhoni had accumulated 10,773 runs over 297 innings, proving himself to be one of the game’s greatest finishers. Fittingly, his last innings also ended in a run-out, but this time, after scoring a hard-fought half-century. 
The day MS Dhoni left Rao Iftikhar to protest to Pakistan's coach, saying, "Iss tarah mara tha hamare ko"
In between these two moments, Dhoni’s legacy was forged. One particular match, however, was the turning point that catapulted him into the spotlight as Indian cricket's next big star. This crucial game was none other than the high-octane India vs Pakistan fixture, a rivalry known for its pressure and drama. The date was April 2005, and Pakistan, captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq, was touring India. On the other side, India was led by Sourav Ganguly, whose leadership would prove instrumental in Dhoni’s rise.
India batted first, but after the early dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar, it was clear that India needed someone to stabilize the innings. Up stepped Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who, at the time, was still relatively unproven on the international stage. In a surprising move, Ganguly promoted Dhoni to the number three spot, sacrificing his own batting position to give the youngster a chance at the top order. Dhoni now found himself at the crease alongside Virender Sehwag, a player known for his aggressive style and blistering centuries.
As Dhoni walked in, long hair flowing, there was little indication of the fireworks to come. He and Sehwag quickly set about building a partnership, putting together 96 crucial runs. Sehwag, true to form, attacked the Pakistan bowling with a flurry of boundaries, scoring 74 runs from just 40 balls before falling. With Sehwag gone, the pressure was squarely on Dhoni’s shoulders, but rather than wilt, he seized the opportunity.
What followed was a sensational display of Dhoni’s potential. Unleashing his power, he smashed his first ODI century, scoring 148 off 123 balls, with 15 boundaries and 4 massive sixes. His innings stunned the opposition and electrified the crowd. In that moment, Dhoni wasn’t just another player—he was India’s next big star.
The innings left an indelible mark on Pakistan as well. Years later, Misbah-ul-Haq recalled the match during a talk show, "The Pavilion." He shared a behind-the-scenes conversation, where Rao Iftikhar, a Pakistani bowler, warned the team’s coach about Dhoni, saying, "This batsman is very dangerous; we need to be careful with him." At the time, Dhoni had already displayed his big-hitting abilities with India A, but this was his moment on the international stage.
Ironically, Dhoni had struggled in previous matches, managing only three runs while batting lower down the order. Pakistan’s coach, Bob Woolmer, reportedly joked with his players after Dhoni’s monumental innings, "Did you really let him score 150 runs?" The quip reflected both astonishment and begrudging admiration for Dhoni’s commanding performance.
In the aftermath of that match, Pakistan’s players, including Iftikhar, could only reflect on how they had been dismantled by the young wicketkeeper-batsman. Dhoni’s 148 runs had not just won India the game—it had announced his arrival as a formidable force in world cricket.
This innings marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would see MS Dhoni go on to captain India, and in doing so, become the only skipper to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies—the ICC T20 World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the ICC Champions Trophy.
What started with a run-out for a duck evolved into one of the most decorated cricket careers in history. That April day in 2005 will forever be remembered as the moment MS Dhoni transformed from a promising young cricketer into a legend of the game.
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