148 v Pakistan, 2005
The second ODI against Pakistan in 2005 might be the dearest innings for Dhoni. He was playing the fifth ODI of his career and scored his ODI century.
In Vishakhapatnam, India won the toss and opted to bat. Captain Sourav Ganguly promoted Dhoni at No.3 position after Sachin Tendulkar lost his wicket at 2 runs.
Dhoni stitched up a strong partnership with Virender Sehwag for the second wicket before the latter lost his wicket, scoring 74 runs in 40 balls.
The wicketkeeper-batsman was on the song that day. He hit off boundaries to every Pakistan bowler, including Shahid Afridi who was frustrated and passed on some words to Dhoni as well. He continued his merry way to his first-ever ODI century, which came in 88 balls. He made 148 runs in 123 balls with 15 fours and 4 sixes, as India made 356/9.
India won that match by 58 runs.