The Crisis Man: 5 Typical MS Dhoni ODI Innings

MS Dhoni is the only captain to win all the three ICC tournaments as captain. He won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, 50 over World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. He has been exceptional for India.

About his keeping skills, he is by far the best keeper India has seen in the last decade. Even though he is unorthodox he is effective. When we talk about his captaincy as well he is up there with some of the greats and his batting in the ODI format is phenomenal as well. He has scored thousands of runs under pressure.

Harsha Bhogle once on air said that even if MS Dhoni hadn’t kept wickets for a single ball still he would be one of India’s greatest players in the ODI format. To have an average above 50 after 300 ODIs is a remarkable achievement for a batsmen batting at No.5 and No.6 for the majority of his career.

Every time India has been in trouble, Dhoni has brought them out of trouble. Such a quality - delivering under pressure - makes a player even greater. So let’s have a look at 5 such innings where MS Dhoni has helped India to come out of a crisis.

#5 65 vs Sri Lanka, Dharmashala 2017

MS Dhoni scores a crucial knock against SL in Dharamshala

India was playing Sri Lanka in the series opener of the three match ODI series at Dharmashala. The pitch had a fair bit of green to it and the conditions were going to favor the bowlers.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl. India had their worst ever powerplay as they scored only 11 runs and lost 3 wickets. India slipped further struggling at 29-7 and staring at the lowest ODI score ever. But Dhoni hung on.

With the lower order batsmen for company, Dhoni took India to a respectable total. He scored 65 runs off 87 deliveries, where no one else from India even crossed 20 and helped India reach 112. Even though India lost the match credit must go to Dhoni as he saved India of getting bundled out for the lowest ODI score ever.

#4 139* vs Australia, Mohali 2013

MSD took India past 300 from 154-6 against Australia

Australia was touring India for a seven match ODI series. The series was tied at 1-1 as both the teams looked to take the advantage in the third ODI at Mohali. Australia won the toss and put India into bat. India had a mixed start as they scored quickly but lost 4 wickets. India was at 76-4 at the end of 13 overs. Kohli (68) and Jadeja (2) got out in quick succession as India was in deep trouble at 154-6 and even 250 looked far away.

Dhoni with the help of Ashwin (28) and Bhuvi (10) took India past 300 as India finished with 303-9. Dhoni remained unbeaten on 139 with 12 fours and 5 sixes which included the famous helicopter shot of James Faulkner. The bowlers didn’t bowl well and India lost the match once again but it was a Dhoni special saw India go past 300.

#3 79 vs Australia, Chennai 2017

MS guides Hardik as both score important 50s

It was a start of a new series as Australia toured India for a 5 match ODI series. The first ODI was in Chennai and India won the toss and opted to bat first. India started off poorly as they were reduced to 87/5 by the Australian fast bowlers.

It looked like India would be bundled out for below 200 in the opening ODI. That’s when Hardik Pandya joined the ever-reliable MS Dhoni. MS guided Hardik perfectly and played second fiddle to him.

Hardik played the big shots and MS decided to play through the innings. Hardik smashed 83 off 66 balls and took the limelight but it was MS Dhoni’s innings of 79 which ensured India batted the 50 overs. India eventually went onto make 281-7 and won the match by 26 runs by D/L method. India’s ice man once again got India out of trouble.

#2 113* vs Pakistan, Chennai 2012

MS scores another century as India reach 227-6 from 29-5!

It was a high-voltage series involving Pakistan. The first ODI was at Chennai on a wicket that had a green look to it. Pakistan won the toss and had no hesitation to bowl first as the conditions were favorable for the bowlers.

Indian top-order were blown away in quick time as the scoreboard read 29-5 in 9.4 overs with arrival of Dhoni. It was a rare incident when a No.7 batsman walked in before the end of the powerplay.

Pakistan was looking to bowl out India below 100. But Raina and Dhoni stitched together a partnership of 73 and took India past 100. Still, India was nowhere near a par score at 102-6. Dhoni kept battling hard with Ashwin and took India to 227-6 at the end of 50 overs.

Dhoni remained unbeaten at 113 off 125 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Even though India’s bowlers tried hard India lost the match in the penultimate over. But a Dhoni master class made sure India reached 227-6 from 29-5!

#1 92* vs South Africa, Indore 2015

MS Dhoni (92* off 86 balls) once again takes India out of trouble

South Africa was touring India for a big away series consisting of 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 4 Tests. South Africa had already won the T20I series and the first ODI heading into the 2nd ODI.

There was huge amount of pressure on MS Dhoni both as the captain and the batsman as well as he was short on runs. India won the toss and elected to bat first on a sticky wicket. India had a decent start as Ajinkya Rahane batting at No.3 scored a half-century. But then India had a middle order collapse as India went from 82-2 to 124-6.

India found itself on a sticky wicket. Initially, Dhoni wasn’t timing the ball well and hence he decided to bat through the innings with the bowlers to bat around him. He got some help from Bhuvi (14) and Harbhajan (22) as Dhoni took India to 247-9 at the end of the 50 overs.

Dhoni scored an unbeaten 92 which included a last-ball six off Kagiso Rabada. Eventually, India went on to level the series in the 2nd ODI.