Zimbabwe is a special place for me, says MS Dhoni

Indian limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has led India to a 3-0 series win against Zimbabwe has conceded that African nation is a very special place for him since this was a place which helped him break into the National Team.

The Indian team visited the Indian High Commission in Harare where Dhoni spoke about his experience in Zimbabwe.

"Zimbabwe is a special place for me. The reason being, before playing for India, this was the tour (in 2004) which really gave me the chance to go into the limelight and get a chance to play for India. So it is a very special place for me. I have always enjoyed coming here. It is the third time for me," Dhoni said while speaking at the India House.

MS Dhoni was part of India 'A' team led by Sairaj Bahutule, for the tours of Zimbabwe and Kenya in July-August 2004. The flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman smashed 2 successive centuries (120 and 119 not out, both Vs Pakistan A) and also a half century in the one-day tri-series, in Nairobi. It also involved Pakistan A and the hosts.

These performances helped Dhoni get into the Indian team and he made his international debut against Bangladesh in Chittagong. He did not get off to an auspicious start as he was run-out in his debut match, but then quickly made amends in the following series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka – which helped him announce himself to the world of cricket.

Dhoni has become one of the most successful Indian captains across all formats and has all the ICC trophies in his cabinet.

India will take on hosts Zimbabwe in the 3-match Twenty20 series starting on Saturday, June 18. India has stamped their authority all over the One Day Series and will look to continue their form in the shortest format.