MS Dhoni fans flood Twitter as the former India skipper is set to complete 15 years in international cricket

When the sun sets on December 22, 2020, it will be exactly 15 years to the day when a long-haired, ever-smiling, humble small-town boy called Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his debut in international cricket. And, Indian cricket was never the same again. Dhoni made his debut against Bangladesh in the first ODI of the three-match series on December 23, 2004.

It wasn’t exactly a debut to remember for Dhoni; he was, unfortunately, run-out for a 1-ball duck as India huffed and puffed their way to 8-245 in their quota of fifty overs. But, little did we know that it was just a calm before a Dhoni-sized juggernaut would take over Indian cricket.

Dhoni was, in his prime, three cricketers rolled into one in white-ball cricket. He could bat at any position, he could come in at No.3 and annihilate the opposition to the hilt with the same precision as he did in his role as a father. He was a champion captain; he won World Cups [2011], World Twenty20s [2007], multiple IPL titles, Champions League, Champions Trophy [2013] and multiple triangular tournaments. Dhoni was someone who could have this gift of reading the pulse of the game and be one step ahead of the opposition. And, of course, his wicket-keeping kept getting better as his career progressed.

MS Dhoni-CSK relationship has been one of the great stories from the IPL

The other thing that made Dhoni was so good as a captain in white-ball cricket was the incredible claim that he displayed even in the most pressure-cooker of situations. He isn’t the one whose expression changes as per the situation of the game. If you look at someone like Virat Kohli, then just by seeing his expressions, you can fathom the situation that India is at that stage.

You can’t do the same with Dhoni, for he gives nothing away. He just focuses on the process; something that you would have heard him say a million times in the past fifteen years, whenever he turned out to play for India or Chennai Super Kings.

Speaking of Chennai Super Kings, their relationship with MSD has been one of the highlights of the IPL in all these years. And, you saw that when CSK came back after serving their two-year ban. The 2018 season was a fairytale homecoming for CSK as their very own ‘Thala’-led them to yet another IPL glory, so-much-so that even Dhoni- who normally keeps a poker face- got emotional on a few occasions. So, with Dhoni set to complete 15 years in International cricket, trust the fans to trend MSD like wildfire on social media.

Here’s what fans are tweeting: