On this day in the year 2005, MS Dhoni played the best knock of his ODI career. Playing against the Sri Lankan cricket team at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 145-ball 183*, comprising 15 fours and 10 sixes. His magnificent innings helped India chase down a 299-run target with six wickets in hand.
This was the match, where MS Dhoni announced his arrival at the grand stage. It was the third ODI of the seven-match series, and captain Rahul Dravid had been trying out several new young players in the series. While fans would know about Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, not everyone would remember that even the following two cricketers played for the Indian team in that ODI match as well.
1. Venugopal Rao was not out with MS Dhoni in that ODI
Venugopal Rao is a former captain of the Andhra Pradesh Ranji team. He was being tried in the ODI team of India back in 2005. Rao was a middle-order batter and a part-time off-spinner. The all-rounder was not out on 19 runs off 39 balls, including one four and one six in that match. He finished off the run-chase with Dhoni.
Rao did not have a long international career, but he played for the Deccan Chargers, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He has retired from cricket now and works as a Telugu commentator.
2. Jai Prakash Yadav
Jai Prakash Yadav was a right-arm medium pacer and a right-handed batter, who played the last series of his ODI career against Sri Lanka in 2005. He played in the Jaipur ODI as well, scalping one wicket for 53 runs in the nine overs that he bowled. Yadav was dropped from the team soon.
He continued playing cricket until 2013. His last first-class match came for the Madhya Pradesh team in Ranji Trophy 2013 season.
