Mahendra Singh Dhoni created so many beautiful memories, entertaining with his swashbuckling batting, outstanding finishing ability and remarkable calmness under pressure.
"Captain Cool" has not played for India since the World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand last July, and may never turn out for the country again, but his legend will live forever.
We look through the great man's career and pick out five of the most iconic knocks by the former Indian captain.
148 vs. Pakistan; Vizag 2005
Having opted to bat in the second ODI of the six-match series against Pakistan in 2005, India suffered the disappointment of losing Sachin Tendulkar in the fourth over, but that only created the stage for an MSD masterclass. Batting at No. 3, the 23-year-old carted Pakistan to all parts, smashing a match-winning 148 off just 123 balls.
That maiden century was effectively the birth of the legend of MSD. He went on to become a national icon; a batsman and a leader you could always put your money on.
76* vs. England; Lord’s 2007
MS Dhoni the batsman is more revered for his exploits in ODI cricket, but the great man did produce some crucial runs for India during his red ball career. One of his most iconic knocks was a defiant unbeaten 76 against England at Lord's in 2007.
Set a target of 380 to win, India looked destined for defeat at 145 for 5, with just Dhoni and the bowlers to come.
MS had other ideas. He received a huge dose of luck along the way, with bad light forcing an early conclusion to play on Day 5, but he deserved every bit of it for the grit he showed at the crease. The Lord's draw set the tone for a famous 1-0 series win in England.
183* vs. Sri Lanka; Jaipur 2005
A few months after blasting 148 against Pakistan, MS Dhoni took it to another level against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, destroying the visitors with a blistering 183 as India chased down 299 to win.
Just like the Pakistan match in Vizag, Dhoni came in at No. 3, after the fall of Tendulkar, and flung Sri Lanka to all directions. It was Dhoni at his most belligerent.
Propelled by a magnificent century by Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka has set India a seemingly steep total, but Dhoni made a mockery of the target, taking India home with 23 balls to spare. That unbeaten 183 remains Dhoni's highest ODI score.
224 vs. Australia; Chennai 2013
MS Dhoni did not score many Test centuries, but who needs a century when you can get a double century! The skipper plundered 224 off 265 balls against Australia in 2013, providing the fulcrum for a comfortable win in the first Test of the four-match series.
Again, India were in a spot of bother when Dhoni arrived at the crease at No. 6, but he steadied the ship in his inimitable style, lifting his side from 196-4 to a daunting 572 all out, a handy first-innings lead of 192. Dhoni and his men would go on to complete a big win over the Aussies, setting the tone for a 4-0 series win over their visitors.
91* vs. Sri Lanka; Mumbai 2011
Dhoni's unbeaten 91 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai may not be his most fluent performance, but it is surely his most iconic knock in an Indian shirt. That title-clinching six will live long in the memory of every Indian.
Mahela Jayawardene had composed a fine century to guide Sri Lanka to a very competitive 274 for 6, and when they had India at 31 for 2, there was genuine belief that this could be their year. They were wrong!
Gautam Gambhir contributed an obdurate 97 at the top before MSD took India home to spark delirious celebrations at the Wankhede and all of India. Dhoni sprang a surprise by coming in at No. 5 ahead of Yuvraj Singh, and it proved to be a masterstroke as the captain anchored the chase to perfection to deliver the World Cup title to India.
