Top 5 MS Dhoni knocks against Pakistan in ODIs

It can be argued that the arrival of MS Dhoni has played an important role in tilting the scales in cricket's most famous rivalry. Before his entry, India won 33 and lost 58 of the ODIs against Pakistan. Since his emergence, India have won 20 and lost 15 of the ODIs against their arch-rivals.

In this segment, let us revisit five of the most impactful knocks played by Dhoni in ODIs against Pakistan. While significance of the victory as well as effect of his performance have been accorded high value, the circumstances surrounding his effort are also taken into consideration.

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#5 77*(56) at Karachi, 2006

MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh shared quite a few match-winning partnerships during the 2006 series

Although they entered the game with an unassailable 3-1 lead, the fifth ODI was an ideal opportunity for India to extend their dominance over Pakistan in the 2006 series. The setting was the iconic National Stadium in Karachi - a traditional bastion for the hosts.

Batting first on a docile track, Pakistan slumped to 115/4 due to Sreesanth's incisive new-ball burst. Half-centuries from Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan lifted them to a fighting total of 286. In reply, India were initially cautious as openers Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid chose assiduity over assertion.

Occupying the coveted number three spot, Yuvraj Singh took center-stage with a remarkable century. Walking into the middle at the fall of the second wicket, Dhoni batted aggressively and imposed himself on the bowlers. His vigorous 56-ball 77 not only hastened Pakistan's downfall but also reiterated India's credentials in run-chases.

#4 63 (77) at Guwahati, 2007

Dhoni's composure helped India cruise in a potentially tricky run-chase

Fresh from India's triumphant campaign in the 2007 World T20, Dhoni took over the ODI captaincy as well. However, the visiting Australian team provided a tough initiation for the wicket-keeper batsman. In its aftermath, the opening ODI against Pakistan at Guwahati was crucial for both himself and his team.

On a sluggish pitch, a disciplined performance from the Indian bowlers restricted Pakistan to 239. Despite the loss of talisman Sachin Tendulkar, the hosts relied on Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir to do the heavy lifting. However, both batsmen departed in quick succession to leave the team in a precarious position of 113/3.

Realising that the required run-rate was not going to be an issue, Dhoni and Yuvraj took minimal risks. They smartly manipulated the field and forced the Pakistani bowlers to commit errors in lengths. The dependable right-hander top-scored with 63 to seal a clinical Indian victory.

#3 72*(46) at Lahore, 2006

Dhoni's explosive knock enabled India to complete a comprehensive triumph

During the 2005/06 season, India embarked on a string of successful run-chases in the 50-over format. The key reason behind their productive run was the remarkable consistency of Dhoni and Yuvraj. With the two dynamic batsmen manning the middle-order, no target was out of reach for the Men in Blue.

The 2006 series in Pakistan saw Dhoni and Yuvraj operate at the peak of their powers. The third ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore produced a quintessential partnership between the two finishers. Chasing 289, India were in trouble at 84/3. But Tendulkar's fluent 95 kept the pursuit on track.

When Tendulkar fell, the visitors still needed 100 runs for victory. Umar Gul then trapped Mohammad Kaif for a duck to send the Pakistani supporters into a frenzy. However, Dhoni's arrival allowed India to wrest back the momentum.

In tandem with a well-set Yuvraj, Dhoni took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers. He smashed as many as 13 boundaries in his unbeaten 46-ball 72. From a position of balance, the gloveman's frenetic knock brought the game to a swift conclusion as India coasted to victory in the 48th over.

#2 148 (123) at Visakhapatnam, 2005

Dhoni announced himself on the world stage by unfurling an array of shots

April 5, 2005 is a significant day in the history of Indian cricket. For a team whose wicket-keepers had often come under immense scrutiny for their lack of batting skills, Dhoni's maiden ODI century was a harbinger of happier times.

Promoted to number three by skipper Sourav Ganguly, Dhoni vindicated the bold move by putting Pakistan to the sword on a belter at Visakhapatnam. In the aftermath of Virender Sehwag's astonishing assault, the long-haired wicket-keeper batsman stormed into the limelight by taking the visiting bowlers to the cleaners.

The ease with which he lifted even fractionally overpitched deliveries over the cover boundary indicated the arrival of a promising stroke-maker. Dhoni's 148, from just 123 balls, was laced with 15 boundaries and four towering sixes. The emphatic knock propelled India to a formidable total and subsequently resulted in a 58-run victory.

#1 113*(125) at Chennai, 2012

Dhoni singlehandedly salvaged India's respect against a fired-up Pakistani attack

In the recent era, the 2012/13 season remains the lowest point for Indian cricket. Having been battered in a couple of gruelling tours, they slumped to a 1-2 defeat at home in the Test series against England. With the hosts in all sorts of gloom, Pakistan could not have visited at a better time for 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

After scraping to a 1-1 draw in the shortest format, India locked horns with their arch-rivals for the opening ODI at Chennai. A rampaging spell from Junaid Khan left them reeling at 29/5. With critics calling for his head prior to the game, Dhoni played an extremely gallant knock under immense pressure.

Forced into a position from which he could not launch any counterattack, Dhoni played the situation cleverly and attempted to build partnerships with the lower-order. With only Suresh Raina and then Ravichandran Ashwin for company, the skipper singlehandedly dragged his team to a fighting total of 227.

Even though Pakistan went on to achieve a comfortable six-wicket victory, Dhoni's unbeaten century managed to salvage India's respect. Much maligned for his team's frailties, he led from the front and offered hope amidst dire circumstances.