5 instances when MS Dhoni single handedly won India matches!
Aug 24, 2017 at 11:46 PM
MS Dhoni is arguably one of the most renowned match winners. The wicket-keeper batsman came from the mining state of Jharkhand in the eastern part of the India. The 34 old is considered as the most successful Indian captain and under Dhoni’s leadership India have won the top prizes in all the formats of the game. He is one of the most successful wicketkeeper-batsman in the world.
He is hailed as the most prolific finisher of the world, but his batting is unorthodox but extremely effective. Here we take a look at five instances when the star carried the team thanks to his batting.
5) 124 against Australia in 2009 at Nagpur
In 2009 when MS Dhoni was at his pick from, India played Australia in the second match of a five-match bilateral ODI series in Nagpur. Australia won the toss and elected to field first in a traditional sporting track and things did go according to their plan in the initial overs. Both openers in the form of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag returned to the pavilion rather quickly. The Indian captain walked to the crease when India were struggling at 97 for 3. Dhoni first formed a good partnership with Gambhir and then with Suresh Raina to help India post a big score of 354 on the board.
The unorthodox hitter started off the slow but after settling him launch himself into the fifth gear. By the time, he was out caught behind he accumulated 124 runs off just 107 balls and more importantly set up a solid platform for India to post a mammoth target. The Ranchi-born batsman played the innings at the strike rate of 115.88 and smashed nine boundaries and massive sixes. India eventually won the match by 99 runs and the Indian captain was rightfully awarded the player of the match
4)148 against Pakistan in 2005 at Visakahapattanam
The 2nd ODI of historic 2005 Pakistan’s ODI tour was played in Visakhapatnam on 5 April. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly wins the toss elected to bat first against arch rival Pakistan. The match went down in the history books as the launching platform of a global icon named MS Dhoni. Indian suffered a blow in the third over of the innings as Sachin Tendulkar got out cheaply. As the nation’s pride was taking his long walk back towards the dressing room, a young Jharkhand lad walked into the field with a bat. The right-handed batsman straight away started counter attacking the Pakistani pace attack and took good care of their spinners. Dhoni remained unbeaten at the end of their scheduled 50 overs as India posted a huge total of 356 on the scoreboard. His innings of 148 off just 123 came at a strike rate of 120.32 along with 15 fours and four mammoth sixes. In the end, India won the match by 58 runs and the wicketkeeper-batsman was awarded the player of the match trophy.
3)139 against Australia 2013
The third match of the series against Australia in 2013 was contested at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on March 19. Australia chose to field first after winning the toss and picked up some crucial early wickets put India in all sorts of trouble. The Indian captain walked at No. 6 when India were struggling at 76 for 4 in just 13 overs. Dhoni played an outstanding innings after forming a partnership with Virat Kohli and then after the later’s departure Dhoni carried the job single-handedly. He scored an unbeaten 139 off 1121 balls to help his team post a challenging total of 303 runs. However, India lost the match by four wickets, Dhoni’s innings was the only standout performance from team India in that match. He once again proved that day and smashed 12 fours and 5 massive boundaries.
2)101* at Mirpur against Bangladesh 2010
In 2010 tri-national series in Bangladesh, India were playing the third match of the series against host Bangladesh at Mirpur Dhaka on 7 January. Bangladesh winning the toss elected to bat first in a day-night encounter. India’s top order was rattled by Bangladesh bowlers sending off, Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh in 8.1 overs while chasing 297. When the captain came into bat, the team was reeling at 51/ 3 and desperately needed a partnership. The 34-year-old first salvaged the shrinking ship of India with Virat Kohli. They added the pressure of chasing didn’t shake the nerves of the finisher Dhoni as he kept on going ever after Kohli got out along with Suresh Raina, the Indian captain took his dive over the finishing line with 15 balls remaining. His unbeaten innings of 101 came under immense pressure and he produced a captain’s knock. Dhoni assessed the situation well as he didn’t play big shots in his innings and concentrated on the one and twos in his innings and then went for big shots at the death overs. 183 against Sri Lanka in 2005
1) 183 against Sri Lanka in 2005
In the third ODI Sri Lanka’s tour of India at Jaipur Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur the visitor winning the toss elected to bat first. Kumar Sangakkara scored hundred that shepherds Sri Lanka’s innings and set a target of 298. While chasing India lost their opener first, so Dhoni was promoted to No. 3. Coming at the crease he started swinging the bat and [arking Sri Lankan bowlers in the stands. His innings ensured India to victory with 23 balls remaining.
The wicketkeeper-batsman scored unbeaten 183 off 145 balls with a strike rate of 126.20. He hit 15 fours and 10 sixes. His score is still the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper in ODI.