Mahendra Singh Dhoni's arrival in Indian cricket and his subsequent rise has been a story of unprecedented success punctuated by only the occasional blip. Of all the players of the present generation, it is Dhoni who symbolizes the new India best. Aggressive without being brash, successful without being arrogant, and seemingly possessing a Midas touch where all he touches turn to cricketing gold-dust, Dhoni is the perfect blend of a role-model and pin-up star.
Dhoni announced himself on the international stage with an array of almost agricultural shots and a bat that he wielded like an axe. In his fifth match, he smashed 148 off a Pakistan attack that didn't know what hit them. Six months later he went one better, to score a brutal 183 not out against Sri Lanka in an innings that made Sehwag look snail-like. That innings also saw him break Adam Gilchrist's record for the highest score by a wicket-keeper in a One Day International.
His growing stature and cool head led to his appointment as India's captain for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup, where Dhoni's calm leadership steered India to victory. He then became the ODI captain after Rahul Dravid relinquished the post, and eventually ascended to the full-time Test captaincy once Anil Kumble retired.As a leader, his hallmarks have been his ability to not duck behind excuses and his ability to maintain his cool under situations of extreme pressure. He has enjoyed considerable success too, winning several series, and briefly even seeing India top the ODI rankings table.
In the IPL's inaugural edition, Dhoni was the only man for whom all eight franchisees had bid for initially, and he eventually was snapped up by Chennai for the-then highest price of $1.5 million
