Five years ago on August 15, the cricketing world came to a standstill as MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. A quiet farewell came not through a grand press conference, but via a simple Instagram post that read: “Thanks a lot for your support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.”

The timing, 7:29 PM on India’s Independence Day, could not have been more symbolic. Alongside his long-time teammate and friend Suresh Raina, Dhoni drew the curtain on an international career that not only redefined Indian cricket but also transformed its global image.

MS Dhoni: One name, a million memories! ?

What's your favourite memory of the former India skipper? pic.twitter.com/sszLHobegw

— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2020

From a small-town boy in Ranchi to becoming one of the most successful captains in cricket history, Dhoni’s rise was meteoric.