India’s most successful captain MS Dhoni, without a shadow of doubt has been the best finisher of world cricket in shorter formats couple of years back.
The man who is blessed with calm temperament averages more than 100 in successful run chases. This tells the story about this ‘cool customer’ who is the most reliable when things go down to the wire. With a wide range of strokes and shots under his book, his style of finishing the game is unique.
‘Cool as a cucumber’ loves to take it to the last over and finish the game with a bang. His ability to remain calm and composed during the innings under chase makes him the best in snatching victory from a close encounter.
Let’s take a sneak peek into his Top 5 finishes in ODI cricket
5. 58* vs Sri Lanka, Adelaide Oval (2012)
Rarest occasion with MSD remaining not out and the match ended as a tie. Nevertheless, it was a bewitching finish with MS Dhoni’s action down the wire.
Chasing a target of 237 for victory against Sri Lanka, India were 4 down to 118 when the skipper came in and joined Gauti. They put up a good 50-run partnership before involved in an awful mix-up and Gauti had to walk back to the pavilion. Still, the team needed 59 more runs. Soon another two quick wickets fell. But MSD stayed calm and took the match till the last over with 9 runs required off it (2 wickets in hand).
It’s the world’s best death bowler against the world’s best finisher. India managed run-a-ball in the first five balls and needed 4 to win off the last delivery and the skipper was on strike. He smashed the ball towards cover boundary (which was long), but a superb fielding effort at the deep saved the boundary and both the batsmen ran 3 runs. Thus the match ended in a tie.
4. 46* vs West Indies, St. Lucia (2009)
(Pic Source: AP)
A rain-interrupted game, India had to chase a D/L target of 195 from 27 overs. The skipper promoted himself up and came at no.3 when the team required 111 runs from 14 overs. The target was again revised to 159 from 22 overs after a short rain delay.
With 34 runs still required off the last 4 overs, the enthralling part of the innings is still left. MS Dhoni kept rotating the strike to ensure the required run-rate remains under control but at the other end wickets fell and it has come down to the last over with 11 runs required off it.
Yusuf Pathan was on strike and could manage only a single on the first ball and MSD which brought MSD on strike. Its 10 required then off 5 balls. Captain Cool has to find a boundary. Jerome Taylor to MS Dhoni-bang! It sailed over the rope for a huge. The equation has come down to 4 off 4 and India sealed victory running singles and a double off the next 3 balls
3. 45* vs Sri Lanka, Port of Spain (2013)
It was the tri-series final after the hosts West Indies were knocked out. MSD had missed a few games before that due to an injury and was back in action right in the final.
Chasing 202 on an unpredictable wicket, India were struggling at 139/4 when the skipper came in and were soon 152-6. But MS was cool and composed at the other end. India batsmen seemed to have no clue on that slow and low pitch and were down to 182/9.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQqe51r6ASE
Everything was down to the skipper then and had he not played the final match (was not 100% fit), India would have definitely faced the defeat.
The match has come down to the last 6 balls and India required 15 off it (1 wicket remaining). The first ball went dot and pressure mounted on everyone. Then it was MSD show- 6,4,6. That’s how he finished the game with 1 ball remaining to lift the tri-series trophy.
2. 44* vs Australia, Adelaide Oval (2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfv1qOG3WM
India was set a target of 270 who could never chase down successfully a target of 239+ in Australia before that.
The top order provided a good start for India but during the middle phase of the innings, they were too slow. The skipper himself averted from taking any kind of risks and the match has gone to the wire. India now requires 13 runs off 6 balls.
Ravi Ashwin on strike and Clint McCay was the bowler. He misses the first ball and every Australia fan was delighted. The next ball he took a single and brought the skipper on strike with 12 required off the last 4 balls.
MSD didn”t look pressurized at all but this ball will be the decider, it has to go to the rope (Adelaide Oval has the biggest boundary in Australia). McCay to MSD- What a blow it was from the skipper’s willow! The ball comfortably sailed over the biggest boundary in Australia (112m). Then 6 runs were required off the last 3 deliveries and the skipper went for 3 to snatch victory with 1 ball remaining.
1. 91* vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai (2011)
This has to be his greatest innings ever in ODI cricket which came in a big occasion- the ICC WC 2011 final. No wonder he is called a ‘big match player’.
India had a horrible start to their innings under a chase of 275. Both the openers departed within 6 overs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JxF78cZr5I
Rose to the occasion, skipper MS Dhoni promoted himself up at No.5 ahead of the in-form Yuvi. India still required 160 to win in the big final and holding nerves in that situation is a tough task.
But MSD showed his greatness and lead by example. Gambhir and Mahi gave India a good partnership before the former was out for 97. Then MSD started taking risks to get closer to the target. When India needed 4 more runs, Dhoni hit a superb six over long on to provide his team with a historic win.
This will be a memory to cherish for every India cricket fan until their last breath.