Five Most Heartbreaking Run-Outs Involving MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni’s achievements are no secret to the cricketing fraternity. One of the most astute and successful skippers in the world, MS Dhoni has guided India to all the ICC trophies that there is. If winning for India was not enough, the 38-year old has also won three titles for the Chennai Super Kings.

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The Jharkhand cricketer is also an outstanding gloveman and a brisk runner between the wickets. Despite that, the former Indian captain has been involved in some run-outs that managed to change the entire complexion of the game. Right from his international debut to MS Dhoni’s last competitive match so far, the veteran has indulged in some tragic run-outs.

We take a look at five instances when MS Dhoni was involved in saddening run-outs:

MS Dhoni’s debut:

MS Dhoni belongs to the category of cricketers who endured a horror debut match but went on to script his name in the record books. In his first ODI in 2004 against Bangladesh, the 38-year old arrived at the crease at seven and was run-out in the very first ball, bagging a golden duck.

The right-handed batsman played the ball towards square leg and hurried for a single. Unfortunately, the fielder came around quickly and by the time the keeper broke the stumps, Dhoni found himself several yards short of reaching home.

Perishing for 99 against England in Nagpur Test 2012:

India trailed in the four-match series heading into the final Test in Nagpur despite being 1-0 after the first game. After making 330,  James Anderson and Graeme Swann reduced India to 71-4, sending back Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Sachin Tendulkar.

The captain joined hands with Virat Kohli and ground the tourists for a 198-run stand. While Swann removed Kohli for 103, 13 overs later, Alastair Cook fired a throw from mid-off to run Dhoni out for one short of reaching three figures The match eventually resulted in a draw.

Getting run-out in the 2015 World Cup semi-final:

India walked into the 2015 World Cup as the defending champions and put their disappointing pre-tournament form behind to win six matches on the trot. MS Dhoni’s met Australia in the final, who were the four-time champions and the team India could not beat across formats for three months.

Even though the Sydney Cricket Ground shone in blue jerseys amongst spectators that day, Steve Smith’s scintillating hundred under pressure stole the limelight. Cameos from Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, and Mitchell Johnson set the tourists 329 to progress to the final.

After a dream opening stand of 76 in less than 15 overs, Shikhar Dhawan’s dismissal at the 13th over was the beginning of India’s campaign. In the next ten overs, the men in blue lost Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suresh Raina too. Australian bowlers hardly allowed Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane to swing their arms.

India kept losing wickets while their captain, who scored the only half-century during their chase, was fighting a lone battle. The right-handed batsman did dish out some mighty blows, but it didn’t last long. When on 65, Dhoni flicked to Glenn Maxwell at mid-wicket, who only had one stump to hit, didn’t miss and put the final nail on the coffin. Michael Clarke’s men eventually won the match by 95 runs and lifted the World Cup in Melbourne by beating New Zealand.

Run-out in the 2019 IPL final:

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings met in the final for the fourth time in IPL history with both having won three titles. Similar to the 2013 tournament-decider, Kieron Pollard remained not-out till the end, having rescued Mumbai from a tough spot. Pollard’s 41 off 25 deliveries was integral in setting Chennai a reasonably stiff target of 150.

The responsibility of the run-chase came down on Shane Watson’s burly shoulders. Watson’s and Faf Du Plessis’ opening stand of 33 was followed by a partnership of 37 with Suresh Raina. As the Queensland all-rounder held the fort from one end, the yellow army lost Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni.

Speaking about Dhoni’s dismissal, Watson bunted to short-fine leg where Lasith Malinga’s throw at the bowler’s end missed the stumps. The captain, being a brisk runner, tried to steal a single but Ishan Kishan’s dead-eye throw hit the timber this time at the non-striker’s end. At 82-4, Dhoni walked back for 2. Shane Watson’s valiant 80 came to an end with a run-out too after which Mumbai Indians won the humdinger by a run.

The meltdown of the 2019 World Cup final:

It was situations like these that defined had MS Dhoni’s greatness over the years. The keeper-batsman held the ability to win games out of nowhere and carved his reputation as a big-match player. Chasing 240 in the first semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, the conditions at the Old Trafford stood overcast, which meant batting was not going to be easy.

And New Zealand’s swing bowlers got all the help they needed that day to put the mighty Indian batting line-up under pressure. Four of the first five batsmen perished for double-figures to Matt Henry and Trent Boult. But the former Indian captain and Ravindra Jadeja’s stand of 116 handed India a glimmer of hope.

With Jadeja departing for an explosive 77 off 59 deliveries, the onus lay on MS Dhoni to drive India to the Lord’s. Two balls after Dhoni played a fierce cut for six off Lockie Ferguson; he guided the ball to square leg from where Martin Guptill came sprinting to hit the stumps at the striker’s end. The 38-year old strode off to the pavilion for 50, crestfallen as it crushed India’s hopes of reaching the final.

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