Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also known as MS Dhoni, is an Indian former cricketer who captained the Indian national team in three formats of the game. He is considered one of the greatest finishers in the history of the game and is widely regarded as one of the most successful captains in world cricket.
Dhoni was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. He started playing cricket at a young age and was initially a wicketkeeper and a right-handed batsman. He made his debut for the Bihar state team in the 1999–2000 Ranji Trophy.
Dhoni’s breakthrough moment came in the 2004 India A tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He scored a century and a half-century in the first match against Zimbabwe, and followed it up with a century against South Africa in the second match. His performances caught the attention of the Indian selectors, and he was called up to the national team for the ODIs against Bangladesh in 2004.
Dhoni made his international debut in the ODI series against Bangladesh in December 2004. He scored a 148-run innings in his first match, and immediately became a sensation in Indian cricket. He was known for his cool demeanor under pressure and his ability to finish off matches.