MSD THE GREAT

Life History Of MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand) to Pan Singh and Devaki Devi. His paternal village Lvali is in the Lamgarha block of the Almora Districtof Uttarakhand. Dhoni's parents, moved from Uttarakhand to Ranchi where Pan Singh worked in junior management positions in MECON. Dhoni has a sister Jayanti and a brother Narendra. Dhoni had long hair which he has now shortened; he cut it because he wanted to look like his favourite film star John Abraham.He likes Bikes A Hummer to add to the four cars and 23 high-speed motorcycles already parked in his garage in Ranchi.He is endorsing 15 brands from clothes to cold Drinks. And, he is one of the highest income tax payers in last year Dhoni is a fan of Adam Gilchrist, and his childhood idols were cricket teammate Sachin Tendulkar, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Dhoni studied at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali,(now the school is known as JVM , Shyamli,Ranchi) Ranchi,Jharkhand where he initially excelled in badminton andfootball and was selected at district and club level in these sports.Dhoni was agoalkeeper for his football team and was sent to play cricket for a local cricket club by his football coach. Though he had not played cricket, Dhoni impressed with his wicket-keeping skills and became the regular wicketkeeper at the Commando cricket club (1995–1998). Based on his performance at club cricket, he was picked for the 1997/98 season Vinoo Mankad Trophy Under-16 Championship and he performed well. Dhoni focused on cricket after his 10^th standard.

MORE FACTS ABOUT MSD

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Nickname: Mahi.
Date of Birth: 7 July 1981.
Place of Birth: Ranchi, Jharkand, India.
Batting Style: Right Handed Batsman.
Role: Wicket Keeper and Captain in every form of Cricket.
Bowling Style: Right Hand medium.
Height : 5 feet 11 inches (1.80cms).
Test Debut: 2 December 2005: Vs. Sri Lanka.
ODI Debut : 23 December 2004: v Bangladesh.
Playing Teams: 1999/2000-2004/05 (Bihar), 2004/05 (Jharkand), 2008( Chennai Super Kings [IPL]), India(2004-Present).

TEST CAREER: (As on October 9 2008).
Matches : 30.
Runs: 1427.
Best Score: 148 Vs.Pakistan.
100’s/50’s: 1/9.
Bat Average: 38.18.
Wickets: -
5w’s/10w’s:-
Best Bowling: -
Bowl Average: -
Catches/Stumpings: 70/14.

ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL CAREER:

Matches: 120.
Runs: 3,793.
Best Score: 183* Vs. Sri Lanka in Jaipur, India 2005.
100’s/50’s: 4/24.
Bat Average: 47.41.
Wickets: -
5w’s/10w’s: -
Best Bowling: -
Bowl Average: -
Catches: 121/36.

First Class Career::

Matches: 70.
Runs: 3,595.
Best Score: 148.
100’s: 4/23.
Bat Average: 34.23.
Wickets: -
5/10 wicket’s: -
Best Bowling: -
Bowl Average: -
Catches: 176/32.

List A Career::

Matches: 173.
Runs: 5,701.
Best Score: 183*.
100’s/50’s: 10/35.
Bat Average: 47.50.
Wickets: -
5/10 wicket’s: -
Best Bowling: -
Bowl Average: -
Catches: 187/51.

T20 Career:

Matches: 30.
Runs: 709.
Best Score: 73*.
100’s: 0/3.
Bat Average: 37.31.
Wickets: -
5/10 wicket’s: -
Best Bowling: -
Bowl Average: -
Catches: 9/0 .

Mahi’s Personal Information:

Dhoni was born in (Almora) uttarkand. His parents Pan Singh and Devaki Devwas from a middle class family. His father was working in Mecon as junior management positions, when they left uttaranchal and moved to Ranchi. Dhoni was ticket collector in Indian Railways before he entered into cricketing field .Dhoni has a sister, named as Jayanthi and brother Narendra.
Basically Dhoni is aggressive right batsman and wicket keeper who is presently captaining for India for ODI’s, 20-20format and Stand by captain for Test’s. Under the leadership of Dhoni India won 20-20world championship title in 2007 which was held in South Africa. Dhoni has a long hair, because of his long hair once Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mushraff has given a complement to him when India toured Pakistan and played series against Pakistan during match presentation. But, presently he has shortened his haircut because he wanted to look like his favorite film star John Abraham.Dhoni is a fan of Adam Gilchrist and he loved to play like him, but, his childhood idol’s were his present teammate Sachin Tendulkar who is legend and God of cricket. Dhoni did his schooling in “Jawahar Vidya Mandir”, shyamali, Ranchi, where he initially excelled in badminton and football and was selected as district and club level in these sports. Dhoni was a goalkeeper for his football team and was sent to play a local cricket club by his football coach, though he has not impressed with his batting skills but he impressed with his wicket keeping skills and stood wicket keeper at the commando cricket club.

Mahi's Schooling days :

In his schooling days, Dhoni took lightly and played just a normal game for his cricket club. But, after his Tenth standard he took it very seriously and continued to play cricket very seriously. He was picked for the 97/98 season vinoo mankad Trophy under -16 championship and made a good performance in that championship. Since that period he continued for playing cricket only. Dhoni made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar in the 1999-2000 season at the age of 18. His performance was not up to the mark so that he could impress the selectors but, in 2002/03 season in Ranji Trophy he did 3 half centuries and that season made him a hard hitter.Dhoni was a stand by wicket keeper when karthick was injured but his remarkable performance against Pakistan when he scored 148runs by smashing 15fours and 4sixes in vishakapatnam made to remember in everyone’s mind including selectors. At the same time karthick performance was not impressive and Indian team was missing a wicket keeper who would play the role of all rounder.Dhoni also has set a world record by scoring 183runs not out against Sri Lanka by smashing 15fours and 10sixes in 142balls.It was record set by Dhoni beating the previous best Adam Gilchrist’s 172 knock by any wicket keeper in the history of cricket.Dhoni’s performance was consistent through out 2005/06 season. After loosing to Bangladesh in 2007 world cup in the League itself, the house that Dhoni was constructing in his home town Ranchi was damaged by political activists of JMM because of his poor performance in world cup, they were out of world cup just after playing only 5 to 6 league matches, they did not even qualify for super8.After disappointing performance in the world cup Dravid’s performance was not so consistent through out that season in one day cricket so, selectors named the new captain and that was Dhoni….

Batting Technique of Mahendra Singh Dhoni :
Dhoni is an aggressive right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Dhoni is one of a number of wicket-keepers who have come through the ranks of junior and India A cricket teams to represent the national team — Parthiv Patel, Ajay Ratra and Dinesh Karthik also followed this route. Dhoni, referred to as 'Mahi' by his friends, debuted in the Bihar cricket team during the 1998/99 cricket season and was selected to represent India-A for a tour to Kenya in 2004. Along with Gautam Gambhir, Dhoni made multiple centuries against the Pakistan-A team in a tri-nation series and was selected in the Indian national team later in that year.
Dhoni scored 148 against Pakistan in his fifth ODI match in 2005 — then the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper. Later in the year, he broke his own record as well as set the current world record for the highest score in the second innings in ODI matches as he scored 183* against Sri Lanka. Dhoni's success in the limited overs format secured him a place in the test team. Consistent performances in ODI cricket through the end of the 2005/06 season saw Dhoni briefly ranked as the No. 1 batsman in the ICC ODI ratings.
Dhoni's form dipped through 2006 as India lost matches at the ICC Champions trophy, DLF Cup, away bilateral series against West Indies and South Africa. A return to form in the home series against West Indies and SriLanka in early 2007 proved to be an inaccurate indicator of Dhoni's form as India crashed out of the first round in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Dhoni was out for a duck in both India's losses. After the World Cup, Dhoni won the Man of the series award in the bilateral ODI tournament against Bangladesh. For the tour of England, Dhoni was named the ODI team vice-captain.
As a batter, Dhoni has shown the maturity to restrain his aggressive nature and play a responsible innings when the situation requires. Apart from traditional shots, Dhoni has two very unorthodox but effective cricket strokes. Since his entry into the Indian cricket team, Dhoni's aggressive batting style, success on the field, personality, and long hair have made him one of the most marketable cricketers in India.

Mahi’s Domestic Performance :

In the Early Years :
Dhoni was included in the Bihar U-19 squad for the 1998/99 season and scored 176 runs in 5 matches (7 innings) as the team finished fourth in the group of six and did not make it to the quarter finals. Dhoni was not picked for the East Zone U-19 squad (CK Nayudu Trophy) and Rest of India squad (MA Chidambaram Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy). Bihar U-19 cricket team advanced to the finals of the 1999-2000 Cooch Behar Trophy where Dhoni made 84 to help Bihar post a total of 357. Bihar's efforts were dwarfed by Punjab U-19's 839 with Dhoni's future national squad teammate Yuvraj Singh making 358. Dhoni's contribution for the tournament included 488 runs (9 matches, 12 innings), 5 fifties, 17 catches and 7 stumpings. MS Dhoni made it to the East Zone U-19 squad for the CK Nayudu trophy but scored only 97 runs in four matches as East Zone lost all four matches and finished last in the tournament.

Mahi’s Local Team (Bihar) :

Dhoni made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar in the 1999-2000 season as an eighteen year old. He made a half century in his debut match scoring 68* in the second innings against Assam cricket team. Dhoni finished the season with 283 runs in 5 matches. Dhoni scored his maiden first-class century against Bengal in the 2000/01 season in a losing cause. Apart from the century, his performance in the 2000/01 did not include another score over fifty and in 2001/02 season he scored just five fifty in each season in four Ranji matches. Dhoni's performance for the 2002/03 season in the Ranji Trophy included three half centuries in the Ranji Trophy and a couple of half-centuries in the Deodhar Trophy competition as he started winning recognition for his lower-order run contribution as well as hard hitting batting style.
In the 2003/04 season, Dhoni scored a century (128*) against Assam in the first match of the Ranji ODI trophy. He was part of the East Zone squad that won the Deodhar Trophy for the year and contributed with 244 runs in 4 matches. In the Duleep Trophy finals, Dhoni was picked over International cricketer Deep Dasgupta to represent East zone. He scored a fighting half century in the second innings in a losing cause.

Mahi Promoted to Indian A Team :

He was recognized for his efforts in the 2003/04 season, especially in the ODI format and was picked for the India A squad for a tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya. Against the Zimbabwe XI in Harare Sports Club, Dhoni had his best wicket-keeping effort with 7 catches and 4 stumpings in the match. In the tri-nation tournament involving Kenya, India 'A' and Pakistan 'A', Dhoni helped India 'A' chase their target of 223 against Pakistan 'A' with an half-century. Stressing on his performance, he scored back to back centuries - 120 and 119* against the same squad. Dhoni scored 362 runs in 7 matches (6 innings, Ave:72.40), and his performance in the series received attention from the then captain - Sourav Ganguly amongst others. However, the India 'A' team coach Sandeep Patil recommended Karthik for a place in the Indian squad as wicket-keeper/batsman.


Inernational Perfromance::
Test Cricket :
Following his good one-day form against Sri Lanka, Dhoni replaced Dinesh Karthik in December 2005 as the Indian Test wicket-keeper. Dhoni scored 30 runs in his debut match that was marred by rain. Dhoni came to the crease when the team was struggling at 109/5 and as wickets kept falling around him, he played an aggressive innings and was the last man dismissed. Dhoni made his maiden half-century in the second Test and his quick scoring rate (half century came off 51 balls) aided India to set a target of 436 and the Sri Lankans were bowled out for 247.

Mahi’s Performance in Pakistan in Jan/Feb 2006 :

India toured Pakistan in January/February 2006 and Dhoni scored his maiden century in the second Test at Faisalabad. India were left in a tight spot as Dhoni was joined by Irfan Pathan with the team still 107 away from avoiding follow-on. Dhoni played his typical aggressive innings as he scored his maiden test century in just 93 balls after scoring his first fifty in just 34 deliveries.
Mahi’s maiden Test Century :

Dhoni followed his maiden test century with some prosaic batting performances over the next three matches, one against Pakistan that India lost and two against England that had India holding a 1-0 lead going into the test match. Dhoni was the top scorer in India's first innings in the third test at Wankhede Stadium as his 64 aided India post a respectable 279 in reply to England's 400. However Dhoni and the Indian fielders dropped too many catches and missed many dismissal chances including a key stumping opportunity of Andrew Flintoff (14). Dhoni failed to collect the Harbhajan Singh delivery cleanly as Flintoff went on to make 36 more runs as England set a target of 313 for the home team, a target that India were never in the reckoning. A batting collapse saw the team being dismissed for 100 and Dhoni scored just 5 runs and faced criticism for his wicket-keeping lapses as well as his shot selections.

Mahi's Performance against West Indies in 2006:

On the West Indies tour, Dhoni scored a quick and aggressive 69 in the first Test at Antigua. The rest of the series was unremarkable for Dhoni as he scored 99 runs in the remaining 6 innings but his wicket-keeping skills improved and Dhoni finished the series with 13 catches and 4 stumpings.

Mahi’s Performance against South Africa in 2007 :

In the test series in South Africa, Dhoni's scores of 34 and 47 were not sufficient to save the second test against the Proteas as India lost the test series 2-1, squandering the chance to build on their first ever Test victory in South Africa (achieved in the first Test match). Dhoni's bruised hands ruled him out of the third test match.

Mahi “Walk off” in Carribean 2006:

On the fourth day of the first test match at Antigua Recreation Ground, St John's, Antigua during India's tour of West Indies, 2006, Dhoni's flick off Dave Mohammed to the midwicket region was caught by Daren Ganga. As the batsman started to walk back, captain Dravid declared the innings when confusion started as the umpires were not certain if the fielder stepped on the ropes and Dhoni stayed for the umpire's verdict. While the replays were inconclusive, the captain of the West Indies side, Brian Lara, wanted Dhoni to walk-off based on the fielder's assertion of the catch. The impasse continued for more than 15 minutes and Lara's temper was on display with finger wagging against the umpires and snatching the ball from umpire Asad Rauf. Ultimately, Dhoni walked-off and Dravid's declaration was effected but the game was delayed, and Lara's action was criticized by the commentators and former players. Lara was called by the match referee for explanation of his actions but was not fined by the match referee.

Some Records of Mahi:
ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL RECORDS:

On 31 October 2005 Dhoni scored 183* runs of just 145 balls against Sri Lanka in Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The following is the list of records created during the innings.
The score of 183 is the highest in ODI cricket in the second innings (Earlier record: 153 by Lara). During the epic Aus-SA 2006 match, Herschelle Gibbs came close to the record by scoring 175.
The innings featured 10 Sixes, the most by an Indian in an Innings, and the second highest in ODI cricket (The highest is 11 by Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi)
He broke Adam Gilchrist's record of 172 for the highest score made by a wicket keeper
The innings set the record for the most number of runs scored in boundaries (120 - 15x4; 10x6) breaking the record held by Saeed Anwar. The record was broken by Herschelle Gibbs (126 runs in boundaries - 21x4; 7x6) against Australia during his knock of 175.
In the same match, Kumar Sangakkara also made a century, making it the first match in which both wicket keepers scored a century
Among Indian batsmen who have played more than 50 matches, Dhoni has the second highest average. Dhoni's batting average is the highest amongst wicketkeeper in ODIs.
In April 2006 Dhoni was briefly ranked No.1 in the ICC one day Batsmen's ratings.
In June 2007, Dhoni(139*) and Mahela Jayawardene(107) set a new world record for the sixth wicket partnership of 218 runs against Africa XI during the Afro-Asia Cup.
Dhoni erased Shaun Pollock's record for highest individual innings by a number seven batsman in one-day internationals during his unbeaten innings of 139. Incidentally, Pollock record stood for just three days as his score of 130 came in the first match of the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup while Dhoni's century came in the third and final match of the series.
Dhoni also holds the records of the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper and joint International (with Adam Gilchrist) with 6 dismissals (5 catches and one stumping) against England at Headlingly 2 September 2007.

TEST MATCH RECORDS :

Dhoni's maiden century against Pakistan in Faisalabad (148) is the fastest century scored by an Indian wicket keeper. Only three centuries by two players (Kamran Akmal and Adam Gilchrist - 2) were faster than Dhoni's 93 ball century.
Under Dhoni's captainship, India defeated Australia by 320 runs on 21st Oct'08, biggest ever win in terms of runs for India.

Few Achivements of Mahi :
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award-2008 :
Reason :Dhoni was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country's highest sports honour, for his contribution to India's success in the 20-20 world championship and the 2008 Australian series.
ICC ODI Player of the Year 2008 Award :
Reason :Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the ODI Player of the Year 2008 award at the LG ICC Awards ceremony in Dubai,becoming the first Indian player to get this particular award. Dhoni beat off tough competition from team-mate Sachin Tendulkar, Australia fast bowler Nathan Bracken and Pakistan stalwart Mohammad Yousuf to take the prestigious award. During the voting period (between 9 August 2007 and 12 August 2008), Dhoni played 39 ODIs and scored 1,298 runs at an average of 49.92 and at a rate of 82.46 runs per 100 balls faced. In that time he hit a century and nine fifties making sure he led his team from the front. Also in that time, wicketkeeper Dhoni captured 62 dismissals (46 catches and 16 stumpings), which is almost twice as many as the next best, albeit having played more matches than any other ’keeper.
· Dhoni also received nomination for the inaugural International Twenty20 Performer of the Year 2008 award, for leading his team to victory at the ICC World Twenty20 2007 in South Africa.
· Dhoni was selected for the ICC World ODI Team of the Year 2008.
· MTV Youth Icon 2006
Reason :Dhoni was voted as MTV Youth Icon 2006 and he also joins cricketers Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in winning the award. He is the amazing icon of the Pogo TV amazing kids awards.