Mahendra Singh Dhoni: From Ranchi to top of the world

From humble beginnings to becoming an icon, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has achieved the pinnacle of sporting success with charisma as well as dedication. While some have questioned his on-field methods, there is no iota of doubt in what he has achieved for himself, his team and for his country. For this boy from Ranchi, the journey has been nothing short of magic.

Dhoni on Saturday slammed his ninth century in ODIs, against Australia during the third match of the series. Captain Cool conquered pain and a hostile piece of pace bowling to steady a rocking Indian ship. Dhoni strained his ankle while running a quick single with Virat Kohli in the 14th over and needed medical attention. But the strong man that Dhoni is, the captain ignored pain and in his typical fashion mixed caution with aggression to keep the scoreboard ticking. He became the first Indian to score a century at Punjab Cricket Association in Mohali.

This is not the first time Dhoni has scored a hundred under pressure for his team. His most brutal innings came against Sri Lanka in 2005 when he smashed 183 not out. He continues to be India's man in crunch periods and is one of the best finishers in the game. Clearly a skipper who leads by example by deeds more than words.

Born to parents hailing from Almora district of Uttarakhand, Dhoni has not only managed to touch great heights but has managed to establish himself there with a calming authority that has even impressed staunch critics.

Making his debut for the national team in 2004/05 against Bangladesh, he was run-out on a duck. The resilience of this fighter though was yet to come. Having proven his mettle for Bihar and in the India A team, he was included in the side picked against Pakistan. He rose to the occasion and blasted 148 off 123 deliveries in an innings that is still fondly remembered in cricketing circuits. They may say that the rest is history but for Mahi, it was a start of far greater things to come.

A wicketkeeper who could bat was the need of the hour for the Indian cricket team and Dhoni answered it with bludgeoning power with the bat and crafty ease behind the stumps. Laurels and records kept falling in his kit-bag till he was seen as the best candidate to lead India in all three format of the game. MSD became captain MSD.

While recent years have seen him gain stupendous success as well as face appalling defeats, the 32-year-old has managed both with ease that has defined him on the field as 'captain-cool.'

Of course, there has been a certain lady by his side providing him with the extremely important support. Sakshi became Mrs Sakshi Dhoni on July 4, 2010 and has been right beside MSD through the different turns of cricketing life. And as the Indian skipper turns a year older, here is wishing both him and his 'support-base', all the very best for the future.

Under his captaincy India have won ICC World Twenty20 2007, CB Series 2007-08 and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, Asia Cup in 2010, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and Champions Trophy 2013. He led the team for their first ever bilateral ODI series wins in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.