As Nayan Mongia’s career phased out at the turn of the millennium, India tried out eight wicketkeepers in Test cricket between 2000 and 2004: MSK Prasad, Saba Karim, Vijay Dahiya, Sameer Dighe, Deep Dasgupta, Ajay Ratra, Parthiv Patel, and Dinesh Karthik.

In ODIs, too, they used all of them, along with Rahul Dravid, who seemed set to be the long-term solution to the problem. And there was the Dhoni, with long hair with a tinge of red, the man who would put Ranchi onto global cricket map.

In an era when Bangladesh were still trying to find their groove in international cricket teams often tried out their uncapped cricketers against them. India tried out Dhoni on the 2004/05 tour. He returned with a golden duck, 12, and an unbeaten seven.

The selectors still backed him in ODIs, for his ability to hit the ball extremely hard had earned him repute in the Indian cricket circuit. But eyebrows were raised when he made three in the first ODI against Pakistan three months after the Bangladesh tour.

The Indian camp still backed him for the second ODI, in Visakhapatnam. Sourav Ganguly opted won the toss and opted to bat, and after Sachin Tendulkar was run out in fourth over, out strode Dhoni.

Dhoni had batted at No. 7 in each of his first four ODIs. Here, with Virender Sehwag at the other end, he could afford to take his time. He took 49 balls to reach his first 50; 39 for his second; and another 35 for his last 47 runs. In all, he hit 15 fours and four sixes.

Sehwag made 74 in 40 balls that day, while Dravid got a 59-ball 52 from No.5, but Dhoni became the talk of the town – and the nation – after his maiden hundred. India made 356-9 and won by 58 runs.

“A maiden international century of unyielding brutality by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lit up a sleepy seaside town, overshadowed a stellar batting line-up, ensured overnight messianic status and enabled India to go 2-0 up,” summed up the Wisden Alamanack.

India’s wicketkeeping woes were resolved. In a little more than two years, Dhoni would lead India to title glory in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20.

Watch MS Dhoni slam his maiden international century:

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