MS Dhoni over the years: The remarkable journey from 2004-2018 in pictures

He became a mentor to newbies like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah in 2016

Under Dhoni, the side clinched the 2016 Asia Cup, their second win under him, and went into the 2016 World T20 all guns blazing. Dhoni’s final ball run-out of Mustafizur Rahman in the group stages showed his remarkable athleticism, while his lightning fast work behind the sticks didn’t seem to wane with progressing age.

Not playing Tests gave Dhoni enough time to rest between tours, even as Kohli led India to record-breaking wins in the longest format.

He dropped another bomb in January 2017, stepping down from the captaincy of India’s limited-overs teams. With that, Dhoni returned to where he had started, a hard-hitting batting wicket-keeper. He claimed his old form with a blistering 134 against England, but a below par Champions Trophy, coupled with his failure to finish off a chase in the West Indies, pushed him into the fire, yet again.

Critics pointed out that Dhoni had lost his finishing prowess

As Dhoni turns 37, a lot might not be left for him. Even though his batting has lost some of its gloss, his wicket-keeping hasn’t suffered at all, and he continues to be the country’s best stumper with remarkable fitness standards. It’ll take just one innings for Dhoni to roll back the years and get the trust back. Or a quiet, silently prepared statement to end it all. Enjoy it while it lasts, for there never was anyone like him, and there will never be.