Under his captaincy, the Indian team secured nearly every major international cricket trophy.
Not only did India win numerous awards, but they also claimed series that had eluded them previously. MS Dhoni, known for his effective leadership, was also crucial as a finisher and middle-order batsman for the team.
In this article, we will explore the top five innings played by MS Dhoni in international cricket.
5. 76* vs England – 1st Test At Lord’s, 2007
MS Dhoni had a tough start in this game, getting out for a duck on just five balls. However, he stepped up when India faced a challenging chase of 380 runs in their second innings. Dhoni scored an unbeaten 76 runs and teamed up with RP Singh to defend the last wicket until rain interrupted play. At that point, India needed 100 more runs and had just one wicket left. The partnership between Dhoni and RP Singh at the end was essential in securing the draw for India.
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4. 183* (145) vs Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI at Jaipur, 2005
India faced a tough challenge while pursuing a target of 299 set by Sri Lanka. To handle the pressure, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly moved MS Dhoni up to number three in the batting order. This decision proved crucial, as the young and dynamic Dhoni smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers for an unbeaten 183 off 145 balls. Thanks to his impressive innings, India secured victory by six wickets with 23 balls to spare.
3. 99 (246) vs England – 4th Test at Nagpur, 2012
During their tour of India, England effectively turned the tables on the home team. The English spinners made batting tough for the Indian players throughout the series, and by this match, England was ahead 2-1. India faced a challenging situation at 71/4 when MS Dhoni came in to bat with Virat Kohli. Both batsmen deviated from their usual aggressive styles and displayed remarkable determination and resilience to get India back into the game. MSD was run out just one run short of a well-earned century. The match eventually ended in a draw.
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2. 113*(125) vs Pakistan – 1st ODI at Chennai, 2012
MS Dhoni’s ODI innings was a prime example of his ability to thrive under pressure. Batting first, India found themselves in trouble at 29/5 when Dhoni stepped in. He formed a valuable partnership with Suresh Raina, who was dismissed when the score reached 102. Despite wickets falling around him, Dhoni remained composed. He scored a crucial century and, alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, put together a 125-run stand, lifting India’s total to a competitive 227 by the end of the 50 overs. Although Pakistan successfully chased the target in just 48.1 overs, losing only four wickets, Dhoni’s resilience and character during his innings were remarkable and made it one of his standout performances on the international stage.
1.91*(79) vs Sri Lanka- 2011 World Cup Final At Wankhede
![MS Dhoni vs Sri Lanka in 2011 World Cup final [X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1723716419059_ms_dhoni(2011).jpg)
MS Dhoni vs Sri Lanka in 2011 World Cup final
The Sri Lankan team set a demanding target of 277 runs after batting first in this crucial match. Despite early difficulties, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir managed to stabilize the innings. However, India still faced challenges when MS Dhoni came to bat at 114/3. This decision was unexpected, given that Dhoni had been out of form throughout the tournament, and it meant that the in-form Yuvraj Singh was dropped down the order. Yet, Dhoni delivered a standout performance on this significant night, scoring an unbeaten 91 runs off 79 balls and forming a crucial partnership with Gautam Gambhir, who contributed 97 runs off 122 balls. This innings is considered one of the most pivotal in Dhoni’s career due to the importance of the occasion.
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