[Watch] When a young MS Dhoni hit a six to finish a match for the first time

Since bursting onto the scene, MS Dhoni has been renowned for hitting towering maximums. The myths around him drinking five glasses of milk were enough for the younger generation back then to believe and follow if they wanted to be a fierce striker of the cricket ball like him.

"Dhoni finishes off in style" is a phrase that lingers in the minds of Indian cricket fans, with the then-skipper smoking one over deep midwicket in the Divecha Pavillion to deliver an ICC Men's ODI World Cup after a long wait of 28 years.

Over the years, a generation of cricket fans have seen MS Dhoni cap off a match with a maximum and on some occasions, deliver a win for his side - be it in the Indian blue or the yellow of Chennai Super Kings. But even if we dig our memories to the deepest depths, when was the first time Dhoni hit a six to end the game?

The 2005 Indian Oil Cup match between Team India and West Indies was the first game when he smashed a six to seal the contest. Batting first, Team India's bowling attack did a fine job of restricting West Indies to 178 runs in 47.4 overs.

Team India were pegged back early, with Virender Sehwag being made to walk back to the hut for three. Then-Team India skipper Rahul Dravid (52 off 65) scored a half-century before Suresh Raina's knock of 35 added some solidity during the chase.

MS Dhoni came out to bat at number six during the 32nd over. The skipper scored a boundary and when five runs were needed to win, Dhoni parked a maximum into the crowd and helped India win the game by six wickets.

Take a look at the moment below:

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MS Dhoni's retained by Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni has been regarded as one of the best finishers in the game. Time and again, Dhoni has shown flashes of his imperious best with the 43-year-old credentials still being held in high regard.

MS Dhoni retired from Tests in 2014 while hanging up his boots in 2019 in ODIs and T20Is, with the 2019 ICC Men's semi-final against New Zealand being his last.

Ahead of the IPL auction, Dhoni was retained as an uncapped played by Chennai Super Kings for ₹4 crore. This was a rule used by the franchise after MS Dhoni completed five years after playing his last international game in 2019.

Fans will eagerly be waiting in anticipation to see their beloved 'Thala' walk out to bat in the upcoming season.