Pages

Total Pageviews

Thursday, July 6, 2017

5 of MS Dhoni's Most Incredible ODI Innings

1. 91* vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup final

This will always remain MS Dhoni's most special innings as the master finisher helped India lift the World Cup and ended India's 28-year wait. Dhoni was having a rather quite tournament, but he decided to bring his A-game into the final. FIrst, he came ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh after India had lost early wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag in chasing a big target of 275 in the final. Dhoni then had a 109 run partnership with Gautam Gambhir, and a 54-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh. He ended the game in style, with a six over long on - a shot which many Indian fans will not forget for a while.

2. 148 vs Pakistan, 2005 Vizag

MS Dhoni announced himself on the world stage with this incredible innings against arch-rivals Pakistan in only his fifth game on the international stage. Coming into the match, Dhoni was under a bit of pressure as after a succession of low scores, people had started questioning his place in the team. 
India had lost Sachin Tendulkar in the fourth over but Dhoni along with Virender Sehwag had a remarkable fight back for the host as Pakistan were left stunned by the onslaught. Sehwag smashed 74 runs off 40 balls but his sublime knock was overshadowed by Dhoni's maiden ODI century.
MSD's innings included 15 fours and 4 towering sixes and his score of 148 runs became the second highest score by an Indian wicket-keeper in the 50-over format.

3.183 vs Sri Lanka, 2005 Jaipur

The score of 148 was eventually eclipsed with another memorable innings and this time it was sub-continental rivals Sri Lanka who were at the receiving end of a Dhoni special. Batting first, Sri Lanka had posted 298 for the loss of 4 wickets. Tendulkar was dismissed in the first over, but then in came Dhoni slaughtering the Sri Lankan attack. Dhoni hit 15 boundaries and 10 sixes. He remained unbeaten on 183, as India comfortably won the game with 4 overs to spare.
With this innings, Dhoni also broke Adam Gilchrist's record of the highest score by a wicket-keeper. 


4. 44*vs Australia, 2011 Adelaide


He might not have scored a century, but Dhoni showed why he is considered among the world's best finisher. India were chasing 270 to win, and a fine innings of 92 from Gautam Gambhir meant India had gotten off to a good start. But then again India lost wickets in a bunch, and it needed the cool head of MS Dhoni to guide the team home. India needed 13 runs to win from the last over, and Dhoni hit a 112m six off Clint McKay to ease the pressure, and guide India home with two balls to spare.

5. 45 not out against Sri Lanka, 2013

The final game of the tri-series which also involved West Indies was being played at Port of Spain and India were chasing 202 runs to win the game. Rohit Sharma's 50 had given India a good start in the final, but the middle order simply collapsed leaving Dhoni stranded with the lower order and the tail. At one stage, it seemed as if India will lose the game, but Dhoni kept a cool head and scored 15 runs from the last over to guide India home.

No comments:

Post a Comment