NEW DELHI: On April 5, 2005, cricket witnessed the beginning of a meteoric rise for
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
, who announced his arrival on the international stage with a spectacular
148-run knock
against Pakistan.
Playing at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, Dhoni showcased his batting skills for the world in the second ODI of the six-match series.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India faced an early setback with the dismissal of
Sachin Tendulkar
.
However, Dhoni, alongside Virender Sehwag, unleashed a batting masterclass to put up a blistering 96-run partnership.
Sehwag's departure for 74 did little to deter Dhoni, who then joined forces with Rahul Dravid, stitching a formidable 149-run stand.
In a display of sheer dominance, Dhoni's explosive innings of 148 runs from 123 balls comprised 15 fours and 4 towering sixes.
The noteworthy knock took India to a commanding total of 356/9 in fifty overs. Defending their imposing score, Indiab bowlers, spearheaded by Ashish Nehra's four-wicket haul, bundled out Pakistan for 298, securing a memorable victory.
Dhoni's monumental knock marked the beginning of an illustrious career spanning 350 ODIs, with his highest score of 183 against Sri Lanka etched in cricketing folklore.
Beyond individual achievements, Dhoni guided India to triumphs in all three major ICC tournaments - T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup and claiming the ICC Test mace.
Renowned as one of cricket's finest finishers, Dhoni continues to showcase his prowess while representing Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. His strategic acumen has led CSK to five IPL titles, further cementing his status as a cricketing legend.
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