MS Dhoni stands as India’s most decorated and influential captain—statistically, strategically, and in terms of trophies. His calm leadership, ability to win across formats, and success on the global stage make him a benchmark for Indian cricket leadership.
When Did MS Dhoni make his Debut as Captain of India in International Cricket?
1. When did MS Dhoni debut as captain of India?
- ODI captaincy debut: Dhoni first led India in an ODI on September 14, 2007, stepping in for Rahul Dravid during the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa.
- T20I captaincy debut: Simultaneously, he led India in their inaugural T20I on 10 January 2007 against South Africa.
- Test captaincy debut: Following strong limited-overs performances, Dhoni was appointed Test captain in December 2008, with his first official Test match as skipper against Australia.
2. What years did Dhoni captain India internationally?
| Format | Years as Captain |
|---|---|
| Tests | 2008–14 (60 matches) |
| ODIs | 2007–18 (200 matches) |
| T20Is | 2007–16 (72 matches) |
3. At what age did Dhoni debut internationally?
- Born 7 July 1981, Dhoni made his India debut on 23 December 2004 (ODI vs Bangladesh), at 23 years old.
4. Who did he replace as captain?
- In ODIs and T20Is, Dhoni succeeded Rahul Dravid during the late 2006–early 2007 period .
- In Tests, Dhoni took over from Anil Kumble (acting captain) and formally from Rahul Dravid, becoming permanent Test captain in December 2008.
Overall
- Captained a record 332 matches across formats, with 178 wins making him India’s longest-serving captain across all formats.
Final Take
- Debut captaincy: Took over limited-overs leadership in January 2007, Test captaincy in December 2008.
- Age at international debut: 23 years
- Predecessors: Succeeded Rahul Dravid (ODI/T20) and Anil Kumble/Dravid (Tests).
- Record compared: Most matches (332), most wins (178) across formats.
P S: Please refer to verified sources for more in depth information.