Looking back at MS Dhoni's incredible cricket career on his 41st birthday

From humble beginnings in the eastern city of Ranchi, before working as a ticket collector for the railways at Kharagpur in West Bengal, to Indian cricket's poster boy with a fleet of superbikes. Dhoni’s journey is no less than a fairy tale. On his 41st birthday, we take a look at Captain Cool's illustrious international cricket career.

MS Dhoni made his international debut in December 2004 against Bangladesh at Chittagong. Credit: Getty Images

Many will remember MSD as an accumulator of runs after being appointed India's one-day international captain in 2007, but it was his style which set Dhoni apart. Credit: Getty Images

MS Dhoni is known for his remarkable finishing skills in the middle-order, excellent glove work and sharp reading of the game. Credit: AFP File Photo

MS Dhoni successfully captained Team India from 2007 to 2016, during which time he brought several laurels to the country. Credit: DH File Photo

Posing in a half-sleeved India vest in 2007 with the inaugural World T20 trophy in Johannesburg and hitting the winning six in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium will forever remain etched amongst the most memorable Dhoni moments. Credit: Getty Images

Dhoni successfully filled the Test skipper position after Anil Kumble's retirement in 2008 and led the team to new heights in Test Cricket. Credit: PTI File Photo

Dhoni stunned the cricket world by quitting Tests in 2014 after finishing as the country's most successful skipper in the five-day format with 27 wins in 60 matches. Credit: PTI File Photo

MSD led by example scoring 4,876 runs including six centuries and 33 fifties in a nine-year Test career that began in 2005 against Sri Lanka. Credit: PTI File Photo

Dhoni stepped down from the limited-overs captaincy in 2017 on the pretext of preparing Kohli as a leader but continued to play a big part in the team's decision-making process. Credit: AFP File Photo

Mahendra Singh Dhoni last played for India in their semi-final against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup. Credit: AFP File Photo

Dhoni is also one of the most successful captains in the IPL. Under his captaincy Chennai Super Kings have won the title three times and finished runners-up eight times. Credit: AFP File Photo

MS Dhoni’s last ball six that won India the World Cup in 2011 is an iconic moment in cricket. Credit: AP & DH File Photo

Mahendra Singh Dhoni poses with the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy during a photo call. Credit: Getty Images