A decade of MS Dhoni: Five unforgettable knocks over the years

MS Dhoni, today, completed a decade in international cricket. Ten years ago, on this day, he made his international debut for India in an ODI against Bangladesh at Chittagong. And since then, he’s been playing relentlessly, shattering records, creating history and helping India achieve milestones. In praising Dhoni the captain, we often forget his batting heroics. As he completes ten years in international cricket, we bring you the top five innings that Dhoni has played in international cricket.

183 not out vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI in Jaipur, December 12, 2005

This was one of the best innings in an ODI and proved to be the turning point in Dhoni’s career. Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 298 thanks to Kumar Sangakkara’s 138 and Mahela Jayawardene’s 71. Chasing the target, India lost Sachin Tendulkar in the first over but the team management promoted Dhoni to no.3 and he turned the match around with a whirlwind 183 off 145 balls. He bludgeoned 15 fours and 10 sixes to the delight of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium crowd and powered India home with 23 balls to spare.

In doing so, he surpassed Adam Glichrist’s 172 to record the highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs. It was also the highest score made by a batsmen in the second innings which was then bettered by Shane Watson of Australia who hit 185* off 96 balls against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2011.

76 not out vs England, 1st Test, Lord’s, in July 2007

Over the years, Dhoni was tagged as being an aggressive and flamboyant batsman. But in the second innings at Lord’s he showed another side to his batting - grit and patience. It was the first match of the series and India were on the back foot for most of the match. England scored 298 in the first innings and India replied with 201. The hosts then set India a target of 380. In reply, India lost Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid early and ended day four at 137/3 but on day five, they lost Sourav Ganguly and Dinesh Karthik early.

Dhoni walked in at 145/5 and added 86 crucial runs with VVS Laxman. Laxman departed at a crucial juncture. India then kept on losing wickets at the other end and were reduced to 263/9. Dhoni held fort at one end and faced 159 balls during his 203-minute stay at the crease before rain gods intervened and made sure the Test ended in a draw. Over the years, he had played some fantastic match-winning innings but this time the stoic 76-run innings was a match saving one. India went on to win the three-match series 1-0, their third series win on England soil.

91 not out vs Sri lanka, in 2011 World Cup final

This was one of the most crucial innings of Dhoni’s career. It was the biggest stage of all - the World Cup final - Sri Lanka had put up a competitive 274 thanks to Jayawardene’s sublime ton (103) after winning the toss and batting first at the Wankhede Stadium. In reply, India were reeling at 31/2, having lost Virender Sehwag and Tendulkar inside seven overs. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir then steadied the ship with a 83-run stand but Kohli departed at a crucial juncture with 161 more needed to win. In walked Dhoni, and played a clever innings of 91 off 79 balls.

The most impressive feature of this inning was the way he handled Sri Lanka’s most lethal bowler- Muttiah Muralitharan. Gambhir too played a crucial knock of 97 but Dhoni made sure he finished the match off as he hit Nuwan Kulasekara over long on for a six - an iconic moment which fans will never forget. He hit eight fours and two sixes in his innings of 91* off 79 balls. He was named the Man of the Match as he helped India lift the coveted trophy after 28 years.

99 vs England, 4th Test Nagpur, in December 2012

After winning the first Test of the series, England hit back hard to win the next two. The hosts went into the fourth Test needing a win to save the series. England posted 330 thanks to half-centuries from Kevin Pietersen, Joe Root and Matt Prior. But the pitch started deteriorating from day two. It was slow and low. India were already struggling in the series and they were reduced to 71/4.

Dhoni arrived at the crease and played sensibly to rebuild the innings along with Kohli (103) as the pair added 198 runs for the fifth wicket. After battling out for 398 minutes and 246 balls, Dhoni was unfortunately run out for 99 trying to go for a risky single at mid off. On a wicket which Pietersen later described as the ’toughest ever pitch’ he’s played on, Dhoni’s 99 and Kohli’s 103 were match-saving. The test ended in a dull draw as both the teams then took a cautious approach.

224 v Australia 1st Test at Chennai, in February 2013

Not often does India lose a Test series at home but they lost against England in 2012-13 and then they hosted the mighty Australians on the home soil. It was a test of character for the Indian team and especially Dhoni. He led from the front and set the tone for the series with a brilliant 224 in the first innings. Australia had posted 380 thanks to captain Michael Clarke’s 130 after opting to bat. India posted a mammoth 572 thanks to Dhoni’s double ton and Kohli’s century.

On his way to 224, Dhoni shattered record after record as he became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a double century in Tests. He also registered the highest individual score by an Indian captain in Tests. India won the match by eight wickets and Dhoni was named the Man of the Match. The tone was set and India went on to whitewash Australia 4-0.