5 Instances When MS Dhoni Won The Match Single-Handedly For Team India

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has played numerous important knocks for India and is tipped to be one of the best finishers in the game ever with enormous success. He has also captained the Indian team to the famous 2011 Worldcup win and has been a monumental figure in Indian cricket.

Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in 2019 and he almost pulled India to a fighting win in the semi-finals of the tournament against New Zealand in his last international match. Here are 5 instances when MS Dhoni won the match single-handedly for Team India.

5 Instances When MS Dhoni Won The Match Single-Handedly For Team India:

101* vs Bangladesh at Mirpur in 2010

MS Dhoni played one of the best innings in his ODI career against Bangladesh in 2010 in the tri-nation T20I series and the home side started off really well with half-centuries from both openers. India had a tough chase on hands with 296 on the board for six wickets.

India in reply lost three wickets at the 51 run mark in the 9th over mark, and the onus was on youngster Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. They stitched a 151 run partnership with Kohli being dismissed in the 31st over-mark. Dhoni and Raina again formed a partnership of 94 runs which helped India chase down the target in 47.3 overs with six-wicket in hands. Dhoni remained unbeaten on 101 runs in 107 balls with 9 fours.

124 vs Australia at Nagpur in 2009

It was the 2nd ODI in the home series against Australia at Nagpur and India was put in to bat first. It was a flat wicket, and the top order was really aggressive. Dhoni came into the crease at the loss of the third wicket at the 97 run mark in the 16th over and he formed two excellent partnerships with Gautam Gambhir and then Suresh Raina.

Dhoni scored a brilliant century and his 124 run knock in just 107 balls comprised of nine fours and three sixes. He finished with a strike rate of 115.88 and took on the fast bowlers at the end overs to propel the Indian score to 354 for the loss of 7 wickets. India won the match comfortably and Dhoni deserved the man of the match award.

134 vs England at Cuttack in 2017

This match was famously remembered for Yuvraj Singh’s comeback into ODI cricket with a 150 run knock. But Dhoni played a crucial part in setting up the big knock and both the veterans helped the team to get to a huge score on board against the might England bowling attack.

India was reeling at 25 for the loss of three wickets as they batted first while Dhoni and Yuvraj created a 256 run partnership for the fourth wicket to bring India back into the game. Yuvraj was dismissed at the 281 run mark and Dhoni took over the finisher role from there as propelled India to 381 for the loss of six wickets with a 134 run knock that comprised of 10 fours and six sixes. India won the match by just 15 runs and the margin shows how important Dhoni’s knock was.

148 vs Pakistan at Vishakapatnam in 2005

This was the maiden century for MS Dhoni in ODI cricket and it was a moment of relief for him as he did not start his international career really well. The century helped him regain a lot of faith in him and credit has to be given to the captain for promoting him up the order at number three.

Dhoni scored a brilliant century in the 2nd ODI against Pakistan in 2005, and his 148 run-knock in 123 balls comprised 15 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 120.32. He pummeled the bowlers to all parts and his ball-striking was a delight for the Indian fans. India won the match by 58 runs in the end.

183* vs Sri Lanka at Jaipur in 2005

This was the highest score for MS Dhoni in ODI cricket as he made sure he came in at number three and dispatched the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. Sri Lanka batted first and piled up 298 runs on the board at the end of their innings.

India had to take a chance as they sent in Dhoni at three, and it immediately reaped rewards as he scored an unbeaten 183 run knock-off just 145 deliveries with 15 fours and 10 sixes in the innings. His strike rate popped up to 126.20 in the innings and single-handedly took India to victory with six wickets in hand and 23 balls left.