[caption id="attachment_29395" align="aligncenter" width="580"]Dhoni Dhoni played a brilliant knock of unbeaten 68 runs from just 40 balls. File Pic[/caption] Internet Desk: MS Dhoni scored a blistering 68 runs of 40 balls in his last match as captain of the Indian A team against the visiting England side. Dhoni received a standing ovation as he entered in to bat at the packed Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The practice match turned out to be an action packed atmosphere with the sheer presence of Dhoni. The fans thronged inside the stadium to witness Dhoni for the last time    as captain of India. All eyes were on Dhoni in the field. The atmosphere at the Brabourne had the feeling of a farewell even though Dhoni will still continue to play for India as a player. Dhoni came to bat at the 40th over after Rayudu retired scoring a hundred. In his short time at the crease Dhoni initially played with a lot of composure. But he soon changed gears towards the end of the innings as he blasted his way to an unbeaten 68 runs at the end with a strike rate of 170. His whirlwind knock included eight 4's and two towering sices. It was a perfect batting practice for the regulars and the hopefuls of the Indian team. Fifties for Dhawan, Yuvraj and Dhoni, a century for Rayudu and the India 'A' team finish with 304. Handy bowling stints for England with Willey making the biggest impression. After the innings ended Yuvraj singh paid homage to MS Dhoni and said, "Today we knew these are the kind of the bowlers we have to face. Very good wicket to bat on. It was important to get those runs going. Fantastic career as captain all over the world. He won the World Cup, Champions Trophy and World T20. I'm not sure if any other captain has that in his wardrobe. We might see the old Dhoni now." Mahendra Singh Dhoni's arrival in Indian cricket and his subsequent rise has been a story of unprecedented success, punctuated by the occasional blip. Of all the players of the present generation, it is Dhoni who symbolizes the new India well. Aggressive without being brash, successful without being arrogant, and seemingly possessing a Midas touch, Dhoni is the perfect blend of a role-model and pin-up star. Dhoni announced himself on the international stage with an array of almost agricultural shots and a bat that he wielded like an axe. In his fifth match, he smashed 148 off a Pakistan attack that didn't know what had hit them. Six months later, he went one better, to score a brutal 183 not out against Sri Lanka in an innings that made Virender Sehwag look snail-like. That innings also saw him break Adam Gilchrist's record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in a One Day International. As a leader, his hallmarks have been his ability to not duck behind excuses and his ability to maintain his cool under situations of extreme pressure. Dhoni's biggest triumph was winning the World Cup in 2011, which India won after 28 years owing to his exemplary batting display in the final and calm and methodical leadership.  

Massive turnout for Dhoni's last match as India Captain at Brabourne Stadium