A look back at #MSDhoni's wonderful multifaceted skills and memorable moments through the career that made him my most favourite cricketer ever.

In all probability, we would never see another player like Dhoni.

#Thread #MSDhoniretires #ThankYouMSD

I often wonder how they decided to make young Dhoni captain in 2007 T20 WC. Dhoni's ability to read the game better than most others was seen so early in his career. Look how he stood in line with the wickets to help bowlers in super over in the series while other keepers didn't.

What went through Dhoni's mind when he gave inexperienced Joginder Sharma last over of 2007 T20 finals in one of the most grambling yet rewarding decisions in the game ever ?

3 balls later, little did we know that he was about to enter the league of Cricket's greatest captains.

While they say there is a luck factor in his captaincy, some of the sharpest thinking undergone while he leads his side on field is overlooked.

In 2011 ODI World Cup, how he brilliantly used Zaheer Khan in very brief skills and brought him only when needed is not discussed much.

Ashin recalling another Dhoni masterstroke from 2013 ODI Champions trophy finals, one other feather in Dhoni's cap.

"Stay round the wicket for Trott. He will look to play on the leg-side and if the ball turns, he will get stumped. I am still not able to figure how MS said that"

Promoting Rohit Sharma as the opener few months before 2013 Champions trophy changed Indian ODI cricket for good. Just another example of Dhoni's ability to spot people skills and manage his troupe brilliantly

Now into Dhoni's finishing skills and what other example than this frame from 2011 ODI WC final. Dhoni said Gary Kirsten-"It is Murali, I will go" while promoting him ahead of Yuvraj. 26 overs later we heard-" Dhoni finishes off in style, a magnificent strike into the crowd"

"12 runs needed from 4 balls" - how this displays on screen and how Dhoni hits a six from that position is a frame that defines Dhoni's career.

This one from the 2012 commonwealth game against Australia from where he smacks a six before running a 2 and 3 and take India home.

Remember 2013 Tri-Nation series final against SL where India needed 15 from 6 balls in a tough pitch and only 1 wicket Ishant Sharma at other end?

Dhoni smashes 6,4,6 and Ian Bishop goes-" Magnificent Mahendra.He is unbelievable in so many ways".

And how could he be this calm!

There are few other treats to eye in cricket than how lightning quick Dhoni dislodges stumps in the exact moment batsman gets out of crease.

In this iconic 2016 T20 WC match, check out how Dhoni times the exact fraction of second where Sabbir Rahman has his feet out the crease

Same 2016 T20 WC match against BAN illustrated Dhoni's many great tricks on field. With 2 needed from 2, he had his best fielder Jadeja on that part of ground to trap Mahmudullah. In last ball,he knew Mustafizur would run. He removes his gloves, starts running and defeats him too

Dhoni's another most striking aspect is how he puts a price on his wicket. He believes in the mantra- 'Its not over until it's over' and stay deep into the game.

Maybe because he is a keeper himself , he knows how to return to the crease before the keeper reacts.

Another famous scorecard which shows Dhoni's ability to put down his guard when quick wickets have fallen and to stabilize things. Look from the position where he went onto make a hundred and look who gave company to him like he was with him yesterday too - #Raina !

Another aspect that we would miss on field - Those fast legs, the quick running between wickets and the ability to sense which were the ones that could be converted to twos. This was another skill that accompanied also alongside his great 'presence of mind' on field.

Dhoni didn't shine as much in Tests like he did in ODIs. He is often criticized for not having an overseas 100. But some of the 90s that came very close are overlooked too.

In 2010 Dublin test match, he held one end and fought along Sachin for a gritty 90 in a lost cause though

In India, he has a dashing spectacular 224 against Australia in 2013, this just coming in 265 balls. A knock of absolute dominance and majesty !

One another thing that we would miss is the excitement, fun and thrill he brought with his DRS reviews. The stunning success percentage those reviews carried was yet again a testimonial to his phenomenal ability to read game better than others.

Among all the other great skills he have, one that didn't get much attention was how he may have been the best middle order ODI batsman to have ever played the game in 5, 6,7 positions and the only one there to score 10000+ runs. Only ABD with 9000+ runs is a competitor here.

Finally when we could see him again in CSK colors, it reminds us how IPL across years have never seen a better "valuable player"..like ever

The captaincy that won CSK those titles,the wicket keeper, the finisher,the clever batsman who plays as per situation all taken to account!

Also can you easily spot Dhoni in these celebrations after 2011 ODI WC win ? He scored 91, hit the final six and then stayed away for his teammates to celebrate the night

Once again when he decides to retire, he chose a way that he always preferred -'Staying away from limelight'