Blitzing his way to the top
Timeline for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's career
Cricinfo staff
18-Sep-2007
2004
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August 16 and 19, Nairobi
Scores consecutive centuries against Pakistan A, which guide India A into the final of the triangular tournament. Is named Man of the Series.
Scores consecutive centuries against Pakistan A, which guide India A into the final of the triangular tournament. Is named Man of the Series.
December 23, Chittagong
At 23, makes his ODI debut and is run out for a duck. Finishes the three-match series with 19 runs.
At 23, makes his ODI debut and is run out for a duck. Finishes the three-match series with 19 runs.
2005
February 8, Mumbai
Smashes an unbeaten 102 off 96 balls for India Seniors against India B in the Challenger Series. However, Dinesh Karthik is picked to keep wickets for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.
Smashes an unbeaten 102 off 96 balls for India Seniors against India B in the Challenger Series. However, Dinesh Karthik is picked to keep wickets for the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.
April 5, Visakhapatnam
Picked for the home ODI series against Pakistan, captures the imagination of the country by plundering 148 off 123 balls at No. 3 in only his fifth ODI innings. This is the first one-day century by an Indian wicketkeeper - barring Rahul Dravid. India pile up a mammoth 356 and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Picked for the home ODI series against Pakistan, captures the imagination of the country by plundering 148 off 123 balls at No. 3 in only his fifth ODI innings. This is the first one-day century by an Indian wicketkeeper - barring Rahul Dravid. India pile up a mammoth 356 and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
October 31, Jaipur
Having established himself in the one-day side, shatters records by smashing 183 not out off 145 balls with 15 fours and 10 sixes, as India successfully chase Sri Lanka's 298. It is the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper and spurs India to a 3-0 series lead. Is adjudged Man of the Series after India beat Sri Lanka 6-1.
Having established himself in the one-day side, shatters records by smashing 183 not out off 145 balls with 15 fours and 10 sixes, as India successfully chase Sri Lanka's 298. It is the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper and spurs India to a 3-0 series lead. Is adjudged Man of the Series after India beat Sri Lanka 6-1.
December 2, Chennai
Makes his Test debut and scores 30 in a rain-ruined match against Sri Lanka.
Makes his Test debut and scores 30 in a rain-ruined match against Sri Lanka.
December 12, Delhi
Scores his maiden Test half-century - 51 off 51 balls - in the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka and adds unbeaten 104 runs for the seventh wicket with Yuvraj Singh, a partnership that puts the Test beyond Sri Lanka's reach.
Scores his maiden Test half-century - 51 off 51 balls - in the second innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka and adds unbeaten 104 runs for the seventh wicket with Yuvraj Singh, a partnership that puts the Test beyond Sri Lanka's reach.
2006
January 23-24, Faisalabad
First Test century - at 281 for 5 in reply to Pakistan's 588, India are facing a charged-up Shoaib Akhtar and a follow-on looms large. Plays an array of memorable hooks and blitzes his way to 148 off 153 balls and gives India a 15-run lead.
First Test century - at 281 for 5 in reply to Pakistan's 588, India are facing a charged-up Shoaib Akhtar and a follow-on looms large. Plays an array of memorable hooks and blitzes his way to 148 off 153 balls and gives India a 15-run lead.
February 6, 13, 19, Pakistan
Continues his excellent ODI form and develops a reputation of a finisher, scoring 68 off 53 balls, 72 off 46 balls and 77 off 56 in the five-match series in Pakistan, which India win 4-1.
Continues his excellent ODI form and develops a reputation of a finisher, scoring 68 off 53 balls, 72 off 46 balls and 77 off 56 in the five-match series in Pakistan, which India win 4-1.
April 20
With an average over 52 after 42 matches, at a strike-rate of 103, displaces Ricky Ponting as the No. 1 batsman in the ICC ODI rankings.
With an average over 52 after 42 matches, at a strike-rate of 103, displaces Ricky Ponting as the No. 1 batsman in the ICC ODI rankings.
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2007
May 10, Mirpur
Battles cramps and saves India further ODI embarrassment after the World Cup. Chasing Bangladesh's 250, Indian are in a disarray at 63 for 3. But Dhoni steers them home with 91 off 106 balls.
Battles cramps and saves India further ODI embarrassment after the World Cup. Chasing Bangladesh's 250, Indian are in a disarray at 63 for 3. But Dhoni steers them home with 91 off 106 balls.
July 23, Lord's
Saves a Test with a dour innings by his standards. Chasing a target of 380 in the first Test, India are 145 for 5 with the best part of the final day remaining. Dhoni shelves his cavalier approach, rides his luck, bats for over three hours and faces 159 balls for his 76 not out. Manages to hang on until rain forces a premature end to the Test with India on 282 for 9. India go on to win the three-Test series 1-0.
Saves a Test with a dour innings by his standards. Chasing a target of 380 in the first Test, India are 145 for 5 with the best part of the final day remaining. Dhoni shelves his cavalier approach, rides his luck, bats for over three hours and faces 159 balls for his 76 not out. Manages to hang on until rain forces a premature end to the Test with India on 282 for 9. India go on to win the three-Test series 1-0.
August 7
Is named India's captain for the ICC World Twenty20, after Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have opted out of the competition.
Is named India's captain for the ICC World Twenty20, after Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have opted out of the competition.
September 18
Following Rahul Dravid's resignation as captain, is chosen to lead India's ODI side.
Following Rahul Dravid's resignation as captain, is chosen to lead India's ODI side.