5 players you may not know played in MS Dhoni's last Test ft. Shikhar Dhawan

One of India's most decorated captains, MS Dhoni, announced his sudden retirement from Tests on this day in 2014. The decision came after the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia ended in a draw in Melbourne.

Dhoni finished his Test career with 4,876 runs in 90 Tests at an average of 38.09, including six tons and 33 half-centuries. As India's Test captain, he led the side to 27 wins in 60 games, becoming the most successful Test captain for the Men in Blue during his era. During his stint, India became the World No. 1-ranked side in the red-ball format. Later, Virat Kohli pipped Dhoni to become the most successful Test captain for India with 40 wins in 68 matches.

In this article, we take a look at five players who played in Dhoni's last Test, which might surprise you.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan. Source: Getty

Shikhar Dhawan, who has only played 34 Tests for India, featured in MS Dhoni's last Test. The southpaw scored 28 (51), sharing a 55-run opening stand with Murali Vijay in the first innings. He, however, departed for a duck in the second essay. A year ago, he helped India win the 2013 Champions Trophy.

In Tests, Dhawan amassed 2,315 runs at an average of 40.61, including seven tons and five fifties.

Ryan Harris

Ryan Harris. Source: Getty

Australian all-rounder Ryan Harris was adjudged the Player of the Match in MS Dhoni's last Test. The right-handed batter returned with scores of 74 and 21 in the first and second innings, respectively. He was equally brilliant with the ball, returning with figures of 4/70 and 2/30, respectively.

Overall, Harris represented Australia in 27 Tests, picking up 113 wickets with the help of a five-wicket haul. With the bat, he scored 603 runs, including three half-centuries.

Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh. Source: Getty

Mitchell Marsh's elder brother, Shaun Marsh, also played in MS Dhoni's final Test. The left-handed batter returned with scores of 32 and 99 in the two innings. Virat Kohli ran him out, denying him a Test ton in the second innings.

Marsh finished his Test career with 2265 runs in 38 Tests, averaging 34.61, comprising six tons and 10 half-centuries.

Apart from international cricket, Shaun Marsh was a household name in India, amassing 2477 runs in 71 matches for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), hitting one ton and 20 fifties.

Joe Burns

Joe Burns. Source: Getty

Joe Burns had flop outings in both innings of his Test debut, getting caught behind by MS Dhoni for 13 and nine, respectively. The right-handed batter played in 23 Tests for Australia, scoring 1,442 runs, comprising four tons and seven half-centuries.

Burns switched his international team in 2024. Wayne Madsen recently replaced him as Italy's new captain ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. He amassed 271 runs in eight T20Is at a strike rate of 138.97, including one ton and as many half-centuries.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul. Source: Getty

Not many know, KL Rahul made his Test debut in MS Dhoni's last Test. The right-handed batter, however, flopped badly in both innings, perishing for single-digit scores - three and one, respectively.

The 33-year-old has established himself as one of the key players for India in the Test setup. He has amassed 4,067 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 35.86, including 11 centuries and 20 fifties.

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Edited by James Kuanal