Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 183 not out in One Day International match against Sri Lanka and created the record for the highest score by a wicket keeper in 50 over format. That innings not just stormed the record books but also cemented his place among the best finisher in the game.
And though it has been 13 years since that innings was played, no cricket fan can forget that innings as it unleashed Dhoni at his best.
Dhoni had already announced his arrival when he hammered 148 off 123 balls against Pakistan in April 2005. That knock established Dhoni as a reliable batsman.
However, what followed was a series of low scores until he struck two fifties in a tri-series in Zimbabwe to get back into rhythm.
In the third ODI of the 7-match series, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 298/4 after electing to bat.
India did not get an ideal start as Sachin Tendulkar departed in the first over leaving the hosts 7/1.
Dhoni was promoted to bat at No.3 and after a watchful first 7 deliveries he faced, Dhoni unleashed the beast inside him to hit a six over cover off Chaminda Vaas to get India up and running.
Dhoni and opener Virender Sehwag that took the attack back to the Sri Lankan bowlers to stitch together a 92-run stand before the opener was trapped leg before wicket by Muttiah Muralitharan.
But that did not stop Dhoni from playing attacking cricket as he forged another 86-run stand with skipper Rahul Dravid.
Dhoni then put on 65 runs with Yuvraj Singh before Venugopal Rao played second fiddle to take India home.
Also read : “MS Dhoni is a Master of it”: Justin Langer on ‘White-ball finisher’ role
Dhoni remained not out on 183 off 145 balls, hitting 15 fours and 10 sixes, as India reached the target with 23 balls and 6 wickets in hand.
Dhoni made his India debut under Sourav Ganguly in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chittagong in December 2004.
Ganguly believed in giving chance to youngsters and he even gave up his batting positions to fit in a player. After a few poor performances, Dhoni was promoted to bat at No.3 and he proved his worth with a thunderous 148 against Pakistan and then a few months later blasted his way to 183 against Sri Lanka.
Dhoni was later named as India captain for the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 in South Africa. He guided a young Indian side to the title after India defeated Pakistan by five runs in the final.
Almost four years later, Dhoni played one of the memorable knocks of his life scoring 91 not out off 78 balls as India created history by winning their second World Cup in 2011. Hosts India started the 2011 World Cup as favourites and suffered just one defeat as they set up a final date with Sri Lanka. An out-of-form Dhoni, who had scores of 31, 34, 19*, 12*, 22, 7 and 25, promoted himself ahead of an in-form Yuvraj Singh after India were reduced to 114 for 3 in 21.4 overs chasing a stiff 275 for victory.
Dhoni had stitched together a match-winning 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (97) and then was involved in an unbeaten 54-run stand with Yuvraj to guide India to their second World Cup triumph.
In 2013, India started the ICC Champions Trophy as favourites in England in 2013. Dhoni guided his troops as India ended the tournament unbeaten.
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