Born: January 11, 1973 in Indore. Right-hand bat. One-day wicketkeeper.
Test debut: v England, Lord's, June 1996. 91 matches, 7,871 runs, average 58.30, 100's 20, 50's 38, catches: 127.
One-day debut: v Sri Lanka, Singapore, April, 1996. 265 matches, 8429 runs, average 39.20, 100's 10, 50's 62, catches 157, stumpings 14.
Technically accomplished batsman regarded among the finest in the modern game. Initially struggled for a regular one-day spot due to his defensive batting, being nicknamed "The Wall", but sealed his place by agreeing to keep wicket.
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1999: Becomes the third Indian to score centuries in both innings of a Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. Scores five Test hundreds abroad before his first one at home.
Scores 145 off 129 balls against Sri Lanka at the World Cup in England, where he makes 461 runs at an average of 65.85.
2000: Named as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year.
2001: Scores 180 while Vangipurappu Laxman makes 281 in a fifth-wicket stand of 376 as India defeat Australia in Kolkata after following on to end the tourists' record 16-Test winning streak.
2002: Becomes the fourth player after West Indian Everton Weekes, Australian Jack Fingleton and South African Alan Melville to score centuries in four consecutive Test innings.
2003: Cracks 233 at Adelaide, leading India to an upset Test win in Australia, becoming only the second Indian batsman, with Sunil Gavaskar, to score four Test double-centuries.
2004: Captains India to victory in the first Test in Pakistan in the absence of injured captain Sourav Ganguly. India go on to complete a historic maiden Test series triumph across the border.
2004: Scores a career-best 270 in the deciding third Test against Pakistan, overtaking Gavaskar's record of four Test double hundreds. It is the third highest score by an Indian after Virender Sehwag's 309 and Laxman's 281.
2004: Named ICC player of the year and Test player of the year.
2005: Scores hundreds in both innings, 110 and 135, in the second Test against Pakistan in Kolkata to achieve the feat for the second time.
Named captain for a full series for the first time, for a one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka in July-August in the absence of Sourav Ganguly for the early games due to a four-game ban.
October 13: Appointed captain for two one-day series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, replacing Ganguly.
(Compiled by N.Ananthanarayanan in Delhi)