[Watch] When MS Dhoni Tore Apart Pakistan With An Explosive 148 At Vizag

MS Dhoni hit his maiden internal century vs PAK in 2005 in Vizag (X.com)MS Dhoni hit his maiden internal century vs PAK in 2005 in Vizag (X.com)

On April 5, 2005, a young 23-year-old MS Dhoni announced his arrival in international cricket with a stellar 148 runs knock against arch-rivals, Pakistan at Vizag in a six-game bilateral series.

MS Dhoni established himself as one of the most successful captains and finishers in Indian cricketing history in a career that spanned for over a decade. However, the early traces of his greatness dates back to 2005 when Dhoni made the world take notice with an incredible knock.

In the second ODI of the six-game series against Pakistan held at Vizag's ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, India opted to bat first but saw an early setback in the form of Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket.

Regardless, a 23-year-old MS Dhoni, alongside explosive opener Virender Sehwag, built a 96-run partnership to regain the momentum. Despite Sehwag’s dismissal against the run of play, MS partnered with the wall, Rahul Dravid, to stitch a decisive 149-run partnership.

MS Dhoni raced through his maiden internal century and finished with 123 balls and 148 runs, which comprised 15 boundaries and four maximums.

Given Dhoni’s extraordinary display of batting prowess and a couple of deep partnerships, India set a massive 356 target for Pakistan.

Needless to say, the visitors succumbed under pressure and courtesy to Ashish Nehra’s four wicket haul, India bundled Pakistan for 298 runs, thus fetching a dominating victory over arch rivals.

Importantly, the iconic knock catapulted Dhoni into the limelight and established him as a future star.

In the years that followed, MS Dhoni went on to become one of the most iconic and successful cricketers in the history of the sport, leading India to numerous triumphs on the international stage and etching his name in the annals of cricketing folklore.