The legendary wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni has left an ever-lasting legacy behind him. Considered to be one of the greatest finishers the game has ever seen, Dhoni was known to be cool, calm, and collected during high-pressure run chases. Even if wickets keep falling at one end, Indian fans never lose hope as long as Dhoni is at the crease. Before he slowly moved down the order, Dhoni has played many stupendous innings.
Before we can fully describe Dhoni, we’re sure to run out of adjectives for Captain Cool. Although he’s on the wane now, looking at Dhoni take strike is still a scary sight for a bowler. Back when he made his debut, Dhoni was a trump card in the Indian batting line-up.
He could single-handedly destroy bowling attacks at any position in the order. Not only destructive in his batting style, Dhoni is very much capable of batting with the lower order and is also a great mentor. His worth to India cannot be measured on any scale.
Here are 5 most memorable innings of MS Dhoni:
5) 45* against Sri Lanka in Trinidad & Tobago (ODI)
In the final of the tri-nation series involving India, Sri Lanka, and West Indies, Dhoni played a brilliant knock under pressure. It will go down as one of the best in a low-scoring game. Chasing 202 against Sri Lanka, Dhoni kept losing partners at the other end. At 182-9, it looked like the game was over.
However, Dhoni took the game to the last over like he always does. He waited out the best bowlers and went after an inexperienced Shaminda Eranga. Needing 15 runs from the final over, Dhoni struck 6,4,6 to take India over the line and claim the tri-series trophy. It was the beginning of many more such chases that Dhoni shepherded.
4) 224 against Australia in Chennai (Test)
When India was in trouble at 196/4 while trailing Australia by 184 runs, Dhoni played perhaps his greatest Test knock. With Nathan Lyon rampaging through on a pitch that was deteriorating, onus was on skipper Dhoni to take India closer to the total. He did one better.
He helped India take a first-innings lead with a score of 546 on the board. Dhoni smacked 24 fours and 6 sixes in his monumental innings. In the process, he also became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a double century in Tests.
Saving India from a terrible situation has always been his trademark and he did so one more time. India later went on to claim victory by eight wickets.
3) 113* against Pakistan in Chennai (ODI)
This innings came in what was one of the most dire situations India has ever been in. Against arch-rivals Pakistan, India were off to a precarious start, losing 5 wickets with the total reading 29. With no recognizable pair to follow, Dhoni built a 73-run partnership with Suresh Raina.
He continued the rescue act with Ashwin, by building an unbeaten 125-run partnership for the seventh wicket. He battled heat and humidity and posted a magnificent 113* off 125, studded with seven fours and three sixes.
India eventually lost the match by six wickets despite Dhoni’s valiant knock. Nevertheless, it will go down as one of the best rescue acts of all time.
2) 183* against Sri Lanka in Jaipur (ODI)
Following a few failures after his debut, Dhoni was under pressure to perform and keep a spot in the side. After being promoted to Number three, Dhoni showed his mettle with one of the most brutal display of batting against Sri Lanka.
Being set a target of 299, India lost ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar in the very first over. In those times, the over-reliance on Sachin was one of India’s weakest factors. Therefore, they were in deep trouble.
But out walked MS Dhoni with his vintage hairstyle. Against a marvelous bowling attack consisting of Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Farveez Maharoof, Dhoni achieved his highest score of 183*, peppering 10 sixes in the process. He announced his arrival with this splendid knock and helped India ultimately win the series 6-1.
1) 91* against Sri Lanka in Mumbai (ODI)
The innings that will go down as his most memorable is none other than the 2011 World Cup final one. Chasing a target of 275 against his favorite opponents Sri Lanka, Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh when India were 114/3. He forged a 110-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir and took India closer.
Although the task had become easier, Dhoni had to ensure there was no collapse. He did so by teaming up with Yuvraj Singh and became only the second Indian captain to win the World Cup. Dhoni finished things off in style with a six that’s etched in every Indian fan’s memory.
MS Dhoni ended up scoring 91* off 79 balls and established himself as one of the greatest finishers in World cricket.
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