Being a leader, whether in sports or any other field, is one of the toughest jobs. In sports, a leader needs both mental and physical strength to lead effectively.
MS Dhoni, one of the greatest cricket captains, has been exceptional for the Indian team. He is the only Indian captain to win three ICC trophies and has led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles.
At 42, Dhoni has decided to retire from captaincy, passing the role to Ruturaj Gaikwad, the new CSK leader. Besides winning five IPL titles, Dhoni has scored over 5,000 runs in his IPL career, making him one of the best finishers in the league. Here are some of Dhoni’s best performances as the CSK captain, which will surely bring back some great memories.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 innings of MS Dhoni as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings.
5. 51* vs Mumbai Indians, Bangalore, 2012
The Mumbai Indians vs. Chennai Super Kings match is seen as the biggest rivalry in the Indian Premier League. It’s no wonder since both teams have won five titles each. In a crucial eliminator game at Chinnaswamy Stadium, MS Dhoni took charge under pressure.
When Dhoni came to bat, Chennai was at 95 for three. CSK fans were hoping for a great finish from their captain, and he didn’t disappoint. Dhoni scored 51 runs in just 20 balls, hitting six boundaries and two sixes, helping CSK reach a solid score of 189.
4. 70 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bangalore, 2018
Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Stadium has always been a great place for MS Dhoni. He performs exceptionally well whenever he plays against the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Recently, Bengaluru hosted a high-scoring match with over 410 runs in total, and MS Dhoni was named the Player of the Match.
RCB set a huge target of 205 runs in the first innings, and CSK needed something special to win. After losing four wickets for just 74 runs, it looked nearly impossible for the Chennai Super Kings to win. However, Dhoni stepped in and turned the game around. He scored 70 runs off just 34 balls, hitting seven sixes, and led his team to victory.
READ MORE: Top 5 Best Individual Scores for CSK in IPL
3. 75 vs Rajasthan Royals, Chennai, 2019
MS Dhoni rarely promotes himself in the IPL, but he did in a 2019 match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Chennai was struggling at 27 for three because of Jofra Archer’s great bowling. However, Chennai set a target of 175 runs and won by eight runs.
Dhoni helped turn the game around with a 75-run innings, hitting four boundaries and four sixes at Chidambaram Stadium. He took just 46 balls, helping CSK reach a strong total. For his performance, he was named Player of the Match.
READ MORE: Top 5 CSK Lowest Scores in IPL History
2. 79 vs Punjab Kings, Mohali, 2018
Over the years, we have seen how Dhoni performs well in tough situations, especially when chasing targets. In 2018, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) scored 197 runs in their first innings at their home ground in Mohali, thanks to Chris Gayle’s quick 63 runs in their match against the Chennai team.
While chasing this target, CSK lost three wickets with only 56 runs on the board, needing 141 more runs. Captain MS Dhoni came in and scored 79 runs off 44 balls, hitting six boundaries and five sixes. He nearly led the team to victory but fell just four runs short at the end.
1. 84* vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bangalore, 2019
In 2019, the Chennai Super Kings played against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Fans went wild after MS Dhoni’s brilliant performance. RCB batted first and scored 161 runs, thanks to Parthiv Patel’s impressive fifty. With star players like Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, and Ambati Rayudu, it seemed like an easy chase for Chennai, but it wasn’t.
RCB’s fast bowlers, led by Dale Steyn, were fierce in the early overs, leaving Chennai struggling at 28 for four when Dhoni came in to bat. Dhoni had to both defend his wicket and score runs to win the game. He scored an incredible 84 runs, his highest in IPL so far, and almost won the match for Chennai. However, RCB won by just one run, even with Dhoni not out at the end.
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