Top 5 knocks by MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to return in IPL 2018 after serving 2 years of suspension. The IPL Governing Council has announced the retention policy ahead of the 2018 auction. Each franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of five players.

With the big announcement, all decks have been cleared for MS Dhoni to return to CSK. It is widely expected that the wicket-keeper batsman will captain the side in next year's IPL edition. The supporters of the franchise will be delighted to welcome back their adoring leader.

Dhoni has always been an integral part of the team and has given a lot of memories with his batting prowess. Let us relive some of his best knocks for CSK.

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#5 70*(40) vs RCB, 2011

CSK were in deep trouble after their top four batsmen were dismissed within six overs by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowling attack. In came Dhoni with the scoreboard reading 22/4 in 5.4 overs. They needed a Dhoni special to pull out of this situation.

Dhoni took his time initially before stitching a crucial partnership of 42 runs with Saha. He was running out of partners but he held his innings till the very end and exploded in the final two overs.

The gloveman scored 70 runs off 40 balls with 3 fours and 6 huge sixes. Though CSK lost the match by 8 wickets, it was one of those special knocks by Dhoni, which fans would remember for a very long time.

#4 63* (19) vs SRH, 2013

Dhoni smashed eight towering sixes

Dhoni played a blinder of an innings in the Champions League T20 encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2013. Unlike his usual self, he started attacking right from the outset and took the game away from his opponents.

Dhoni came to bat at number five even as only six overs remained in the innings. It was the 18th over when he went berserk and smashed Thisara Perera for five sixes in an over. He brought his 50 off just 16 deliveries.

In all, he scored 63 runs off 19 balls at whopping strike rate of 331 inclusive of eight sixes. In the end, it proved to be difference between the two teams as CSK won the match by just 12 runs.

#3 65 (30) vs RCB, 2008

Dhoni pelted RCB's bowlers with nine fours and three sixes

This was the first encounter between RCB and CSK in the inaugural season of IPL. CSK were batting first on flat track of Chinnaswamy stadium and a high scoring contest was on the cards.

CSK had a decent start. They were stationed at 82-3 in 12.3 overs when Dhoni came in to bat. It was the perfect time for an onslaught and their captain was the ideal player to do the job. He duly scored his maiden IPL fifty from just 24 balls.

Dhoni smashed Dale Steyn for 24 runs in the 19th over. Zaheer was taken apart for two fours and a six in last over of the innings. Eventually, CSK won by 13 runs and Dhoni was awarded the MOM award for his match winning performance.

#2 54*(29) vs KXIP, 2009

Dhoni could not hide his emotions after scoring the winning runs

This was a do or die match for CSK as they needed one more win to qualify for the semifinal of IPL 2010. Kings XI Punjab had posted a massive target of 192 at Dharamsala and the situation appeared pretty grim for the Yellow Brigade.

However, CSK started off on a positive note. At the half-way mark, the scoreboard read 89/3. A further 104 runs were required from the last 10 overs. Dhoni was at the crease and looked determined to pull this one off.

With 47 runs to get off 18 balls, it was getting difficult for CSK to chase but Dhoni held his nerve. Requiring 16 off 6 balls, he clobbered two massive sixes off Irfan Pathan's bowling to take CSK home. In all, he scored 54 off 29 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Dhoni was awarded Man of the match for his crucial knock. However, the fans would remember this knock not only for his batting effort but also for his emotional outburst as he famously punched himself after hitting the winning runs.

#1 51* (20) vs MI, 2012

This was one of the best knocks in Dhoni's T20 career

It was an Eliminator contest between two IPL heavyweights. Locking horns with Mumbai Indians, CSK batted first and lost their first two wickets in the second over for a single run on the board.

Extra Cover: Top 5 close encounters won by Chennai Super Kings

Subramaniam Badrinath and Michael Hussey stitched up a partnership of 94 runs to stabilize the innings. After Badrinath was dismissed in the 14th over, Dhoni came in to bat at number five. He smashed 51 runs off 20 balls with six fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 255. With their skipper leading the charge, CSK amassed 92 runs in the remaining 6.4 overs to reach 187/5 in 20 overs. Eventually, CSK won the match by 38 runs.