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[Relive] When MS Dhoni Announced His Arrival With Magnificent 183* Against Sri Lanka

image-lodvvt7tMS Dhoni set the stage ablaze with 183* (Twitter)

On this day, in 2005, while the world celebrated Halloween, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur was about to witness an exhibition that would haunt Sri Lankan bowlers for years as former Indian cricketer MS Dhoni swapped his mask of a quiet newcomer for the avatar of a cricketing marauder.

MS Dhoni unleashed a batting masterclass and took Sri Lankan bowlers to the cleaners

Earlier that year, Dhoni had stormed into the limelight, smacking a magnificent 148 against Pakistan. The cricketing world took notice. However, in a sport as unpredictable as cricket, the journey is never linear. A series of quiet innings followed for Dhoni. Doubts began to creep in. But then came the knock against Sri Lanka that reinstated the faith in the young stumper’s capabilities.

The stage was set. Sri Lanka, having posted a competitive total of 298/4, appeared confident. Moreover, the dismissal of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in the very first over was a blow that could've sent many teams spiralling. But not India. Not on that day.

Promoted to bat at No.3, Dhoni initially sized up the opposition as he started cautiously, measuring the bowlers, and gauging the field. But like a dormant volcano that suddenly erupts, Dhoni's first mighty six over cover off Chaminda Vaas signalled the beginning of a fiery onslaught. Alongside him, Virender Sehwag was more than just a bystander; together, they put up a 92-run show, countering the Sri Lankan storm.


The fall of Sehwag could've been a turning point, but Dhoni, in the company of the ever-stalwart Rahul Dravid stitched an 86-run partnership and ensured that the momentum didn’t shift. Post Dravid’s dismissal, he shared a 65-run stand with Yuvraj Singh and by the time young Venugopal Rao walked in, Dhoni was on the rampage.

With an unbeaten 183 off 145 balls, featuring 15 boundaries and 10 staggering sixes, he had firmly etched that day as his own. India cruised to victory with 23 balls to spare, but the day belonged to one man and his brilliance.

Sixteen years on, we reminisce about that unforgettable day when a young from Ranchi, stood tall amidst giants, signalling the rise of one of the game's greatest legends. On this day, in the pink city of Jaipur, the world saw a shade of Dhoni that was anything but rosy for the opponents – a shade that promised countless more match-winning performances in the years to come.