Dec 2, 2005: Makes his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai. He scores 30 and takes one catch in a rain-hit match.
Dec 12, 2005: Scores his maiden half-century in just his second Test, against Sri Lanka at Feroz Shah Kotla.
Jan 23, 2006: Scores a whirlwind maiden Test century against Pakistan in Faisalabad.
Apr 11, 2008: Makes captaincy debut in Tests. In the absence of Anil Kumble, Dhoni leads India for the first time and he gets off to a thumping start as India beat South Africa in three days at Green Park, Kanpur.
Nov 6, 2008: Dhoni takes charge as full-time Test captain with Kumble retired. India beat Australia by 172 runs in Nagpur to win the series 2-0.
Dec 23, 2008: In his first full Test series as captain, Dhoni leads India to a 1-0 win over England after the horrific Mumbai terror attacks.
Dec 6, 2009: Takes India to No 1 in Tests for the first time, courtesy the team's huge win over Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium.
Dec 29, 2010: One of India's finest Test wins comes at Durban, as hosts South Africa are routed inside four days. India draw the series as well.
Dec 17, 2012: A low point for Dhoni and India at home as England beat them 2-1 in a four-Test series.
Feb 24, 2013: Becomes the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a double century.
Mar 5, 2013: Breaks Ganguly's record of most wins by an Indian captain in Tests.
Mar 24, 2013: Under Dhoni, India's clinch first Test series whitewash over Australia by 4-0.
Jul 23, 2014: Captains India to first win at Lord's after 28 years; but it is only India's first overseas Test win in three years.
Aug 17, 2014: India lose five-Test series to England 3-1, their fifth straight away series loss under Dhoni.
Dec 30, 2014: After India lose their sixth consecutive overseas Test series, Dhoni announces his retirement.