Top 10 brutal innings in ODI cricket

3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (183* vs Sri Lanka, 2005)

His blitzkrieg against Pakistan brought him to the fore, but it was the long-haired Jharkhand lad’s stormy innings against Sri Lanka at Jaipur that made the world actually sit up and take notice.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni not only filled the troublesome slot of wicket-keeper, but also gave the Indian side a batsman who could wield the blade like a submachine gun, as the 1996 World Cup winners found out to their cost.

Rival wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara had earlier scored a magnificent century to enable his side to set a challenging target, but in the face of Dhoni’s blitz, his innings was relegated to second-best.

India lost Tendulkar early in the chase, and it should have been the point at which they would have pressed the panic button in the past. But they hadn’t reckoned with Mahi.

His gameplan was simple: hit on the up, through the line, and use the feet when the ball wasn’t pitched up. Signalling his intentions with two sixes off Vaas over extra cover, Dhoni got down to business, chipping away at the target and building fruitful partnerships with the rest of the line up.

Muralitharan’s threat was negated by soft hands and quick running between the wickets, and leg-spinner Upul Chandana was treated like a net bowler, spoiling his rhythm.

Even a bout of cramps couldn’t keep Dhoni tied up, and he swiftly guided India home along with Venugopal Rao, thus ensuring that his side had a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series. Magnificent stuff!