It is often said that when MS Dhoni is in the mood, no bowler stands a chance against his charisma and sheer brutality. Even in his first few months as an international cricketer, Dhoni gave glimpses about his marauding abilities with the bat and how brutal he could be against any opposition.
Dhoni’s test career was off and running with his maiden test century against Pakistan at Faisalabad in January 2006. Dhoni in that marathon knock scored 148 off just 153 balls to lead India’s assault against Pakistan. Many pundits consider that knock as a genuine turning point in his career, which just matured him further as a dominating batsman.
In that game, India were on the back foot as Pakistan had amassed a mammoth 588 on board in the first innings. The Pakistani new ball duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were ever threatening and menacing with conditions assisting them. India were in some serious trouble at 258-4 when Dhoni walked in to join Sachin Tendulkar in the middle.
What followed ahead was simply magical as Dhoni began his assault. He went all guns blazing against India’s biggest threat – Shoaib Akhtar. The Rawalpindi Express was bowling in excess of 145 km/hr and Dhoni took him head on. Dhoni pulled and cut Akhtar ferociously to get the runs flowing. Dhoni was so dominant in that particular knock that Pakistan despite scoring 588, had to go on the defensive. The highlight of that knock from Dhoni was a flat six pulled on the bowling off Shoaib Akhtar.
Below, is the video of Dhoni simply marauding Shoaib Akhtar.