Mahendra Singh Dhoni: The small town boy who became 'The Best' with these five memorable moments

July 7 has become one of the most important days in the history of Indian cricket. The 'Men in Blue' didn't win any tournament on this date, nor did Sachin Tendulkar made his debut or retire from cricket, and neither did India beat Pakistan.

But on this very day, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, or as everyone is used to saying, 'Mahi' was born!

Back at a time when most players came from the big cities and states, Dhoni arrived from a small city called Ranchi, which was nowhere near being the hub of cricket. Yet, it was his desire and hard work which has made him one of the biggest names in cricket.

Right from the unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka in 2005 to famous run out of Mustafizur Rahman in the World T20 2016, Dhoni has scripted uncountable moments of brilliance. And as he turns 37, we take a look at five of his most memorable moments.

1. 2011 World Cup final: In front of a packed Wankhede crowd, Dhoni did what only Kapil Dev managed. The Indian skipper promoted himself up the order, and scored an unbeaten 91, including a memorable six to give his nation their first World Cup since 1983. What it also meant was that Sachin Tendulkar won the game's biggest prize in his final event. So, Dhoni not only won the trophy for his nation, but also for the 'God of Cricket'.
 

2. ICC World T20 2007 final: This was the first occasion where the world recognized the clever mind of MS Dhoni. In the inaugural World T20 event, Dhoni was made the skipper, and he led the team from the front as they won the tournament. In the final, he did something which was criticized during the match, but considered masterstroke after it. 

Pakistan needed 13 from the final over, and Dhoni had to choose between experienced Harbhajan Singh and rookie Joginder Sharma. The world expected Bhajji to bowl, but the skipper went the latter.

And it was the decision which scripted history, as Joginder dismissed Misbah Ul-Haq and led his team to a win.
 

3. One handed run out: Final group match, final over and next round qualification at stake. Bangladesh needed two runs of the final delivery, and they were set to sneak a single off a bye. But the clever Dhoni did not let it happen.

The then Indian skipper was standing without one glove. When the batsman missed the ball, it was then a direct race between non-striker, Mustafizur Rahman and Dhoni. And in the end, it was the Indian who outpaced by the Bangladeshi and won his side the match with one of the best glove works ever.
 

4. No.1 Test ranking: For the first time ever, India reached the summit of the Test cricket, and it happened in 2009 when Dhoni was the skipper. While he was still very new as Test skipper till that point, he made his mark to created history. 
 

(Source: PTI)

5. 183 against Sri Lanka: This was the occasion when Dhoni announced himself in the world cricket. Prior to this match, many in India knew about the quality of a long-haired wicketkeeper. But after this match, the world knew about him.

Given a chance at No.3, Mahi tore apart a bowling unit consisting of Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof and Muttiah Muralidharan. He repaid his advancement in the batting order by scoring 183, which till date is the highest score by a player in the second innings of an ODI.