Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (20-11)

#17 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen produced by India

With his flowing mane and bludgeoning batting, MS Dhoni quickly endeared himself to the supporters of the Indian team when he climbed through the ranks. Unlike his adept capacity in the 50-over format, red-ball cricket did not come naturally to the man from Ranchi. Yet, he channelled his inner mongrel and scrapped hard to finish as India's most successful wicket-keeper batsman.

No other Indian gloveman has come near his collection of 294 dismissals. The manner in which he repeatedly copped body blows during the 2014 tour of England also embodied his revamped batting style during the final lap of his career.

Dhoni's tally of 27 Test match victories as captain stands as the highest among all Asian skippers. For the right reasons, critics may hound his record outside the subcontinent. But his strategic handling of India's spinners bolstered the side's prowess in home conditions.

Not the man to care about numbers, the seasoned campaigner could have easily prolonged his career to c the 100-Test mark. However, true to his nature, he decided to walk away with his reputation still very much intact.

Career Span: 2005-2014

Statistics: 4876 runs from 90 matches at an average of 38.09 with 6 centuries and 33 fifties; 256 catches and 38 stumpings