MS Dhoni is one of the most underrated wicketkeeper-batter in the history of Test cricket. Dhoni has scored 4876 runs in the longest format of the game at a decent batting average of 38. He has played several impactful knocks with the bat for the Indian team in Test cricket and bailed them out of trouble. Dhoni mostly used to bat at No.6 and No.7 positions in Test cricket and has made some telling contributions, batting with the tailenders.
The former Indian captain was an expert in batting with maturity and forming partnerships with the tailenders. He had a good defensive technique too. Although he didn’t taste much success in overseas conditions, he was more than a useful batter in Indian conditions. In this article , we would be looking at the top 3 Test knocks of the former Indian cricketer in Test cricket:
#1 224 vs Australia, Chennai, 2013
MS Dhoni hit the first double century of his Test career against Australia in 2013. He scored this double century at Chepauk stadium, which is like a home ground for the legendary cricketer. When Dhoni came to bat, India were in a tricky position in reply to Australia’s 380 runs in the first innings.
Dhoni joined Virat Kohli to form a 128 runs partnership for the fifth wicket. Later, he formed 140 runs partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the ninth Wicket. Dhoni scored 224 runs in this innings. He smashed all Australian bowlers around the park, especially Nathan Lyon. Dhoni hit 24 fours and six sixes in his knock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HzhoBlsgRU
#2 71 against England, Manchester, 2014
The 71-run knock against England at Manchester is one of the greatest lone warrior knocks of MS Dhoni. It came in the fourth Test match of the tour of India in England in 2014. When Dhoni came to bat, India was struggling at eight runs for the loss of four wickets.
It looked like India won’t even score 50 runs. But Dhoni showed a brilliant fightback. He took a positive approach and attacked the England bowlers. He and Ajinkya Rahane stitched together a 54-run partnership for the fifth Wicket. Later he formed 66 runs partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin for the seventh wicket. Dhoni hit 15 fours in his knock of 71 runs.
#3 76* against England, Lords, 2007
Dhoni has played several quality knocks in England. But his knock of 76* runs against England at Lords in 2007 is one of the best match-saving knocks. India were chasing a target of 380 runs in the last innings. When Dhoni came to bat, the Men in Blue were struggling at 145/5. The win for the Indian team looked out of reach.
Draw was the only possible result that India could have tried. Dhoni displayed an amazing example of keeping calm under pressure in this knock. He scored 76* runs despite batting with the tailenders on the final day. He hit 10 fours in his innings where he faced 159 balls. Eventually, the match ended in a draw and India went on to win the series in England in 2007.
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