MS Dhoni has been one of India’s finest captains to have ever led the team. Being a distinguished Indian skipper with three ICC trophies, Dhoni formed his own team around youngsters after the departure of the senior pros. While his captaincy has always been in the limelight, the Ranchi-born lad as even played some unforgettable innings for his team’s cause.
Despite making a certain case with the bat during the initial few years, Dhoni’s batting skills took a backseat ever since he began leading the Indian team. However, the former Indian captain went about his business with ease.
Here’s a look at 3 occasions when MS Dhoni dragged India out of trouble in ODIs:
1. India vs Pakistan – 1st ODI Chennai, 2012:
In the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, Dhoni was India’s rescue man after in the 1st ODI at Chennai after the hosts were reeling at 29 for 5 inside ten overs. However, Dhoni held his ground and stitched a couple of crucial partnerships in the lower middle-order. He returned with an unbeaten score of 113 in guiding India to a respectable total of 227 in their 50 overs. However, those runs didn’t prove enough on the day as Pakistan chased down the target with ease in the end. However, for his valor efforts in scoring a hundred in a losing cause, Dhoni was named the Player of the Match.
2. India vs Australia – 3rd ODI Mohali, 2013:
In the 3rd ODI against Australia at Mohali in 2013, India were yet again in trouble after the top-order failed to put enough runs on the board. The Indian skipper walked in at No.6 and once again played a captain’s innings to guide his team to safety. Dhoni had a decent partnership with Virat Kohli and played the second fiddle before he took the charge past Kohli’s dismissal. Dhoni finished with an unbeaten score of 139 while India stacked up 303 runs in their 50 overs. However, it didn’t prove enough on the day as a poor bowling effort saw Dhoni’s efforts go in vain.
3. India vs England – 2nd ODI Cuttack 2017:
In the third ODI against England at Cuttack in 2017, the Indian top-order yet again failed to counter the early threat. Batting first, the hosts were down to 25 for 3 in the first five overs. However, this is when the duo of Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni came together to lead India’s rescue. The two batted in glorious fashion and helped India post a huge total of 381 in their 50 overs. While Yuvraj played scored his maiden 150, Dhoni too complemented with a well-made 134. Even after Yuvraj’s dismissal, Dhoni continued the onslaught to ensure a flourishing end to the innings.
