Age: 26 years 73 days

Tests: 20 Runs: 1019

Catches/stumpings: 53/10

ODIs: 84 Runs: 2477

Catches/stumpings: 82/21

Dec. 2004: ODI debut vs Bangladesh — was run out first ball!

April 2005: Sent up the order for the first time — at No. 3 — cracked 148 in 123 balls (15x4, 4x6) against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam

Dec. 2005: Test debut

Oct. 2005: An unbeaten 183 in 145 balls in Jaipur, chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 298/4. Thanks to this knock India won by 6 wickets and with 23 balls to spare! This is now the highest score by a ’keeper and by a batsman batting second

Jan. 2006: Scores first Test 100 — 148 off 153 balls in Faisalabad

April 2006: Becomes the No. 1 batsman in the ICC ODI rankings

May 2007: His 91 in 106 balls in Mirpur enables India beat Bangladesh after the team struggled chasing 250

June 2007: Elevated as vice-captain of the one-day squad to Ireland/Scotland/England

July 2007: A match-saving unbeaten 76 off 159 balls in the Lord’s Test

Aug 2007: Made India’s captain for the ICC World Twenty20