Tributes have been in pouring in from all corners after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday. One of the greatest captains and wicket-keeper batsmen of all-time, Dhoni drew curtains on a glorious career spanning 16 years. He had made his debut for India in an ODI against Bangladesh in 2004 and went on to establish himself as one of the most successful cricketers to have played for the country.
Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar, who played with Dhoni during the initial stage of his international career, lauded the former Indian captain for being very courteous and friendly with everyone in the dressing room. Agarkar also credited Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.
for changing the concept of chasing in ODIs with their attacking yet sensible batting in the middle-order.
“Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh changed the concept of chasing in ODIs. They were so good at it that after their success, other teams also started to field first on winning the toss,” Agarkar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
The former pacer further recalled Dhoni’s unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka in the Jaipur ODI in 2005 – where the wicket-keeper batsman took the Lankan bowlers to the cleaners to notch up the highest individual score by any wicket-keeper batsman in the world in ODIs. Dhoni’s 183 off 145 balls was laced with 10 sixes and 15 fours as India chased down the target of 299 runs with 23 balls to spare.
He also recalled Dhoni’s swashbuckling knock of 72 runs off 46 balls against Pakistan in an ODI in Lahore in 2006. Dhoni and Yuvraj (79 off 87) had combined to post a match-winning stand of 102 runs in the game to help India claim victory by 5 wickets with 14 balls to spare.
“His 183 not out versus Sri Lanka at Jaipur (2005) and the chase at Lahore (ODI vs Pakistan, 2006)—Sri Lanka had posted a massive total and Dhoni batted at No. 3 and won it. The atmosphere in the dressing room went crazy when he started smashing sixes. At Lahore too, Pakistan had posted a very good total and their bowlers were in fine rhythm. Dhoni finished it off with a big partnership with Yuvraj,” said Agarkar.
