Top 5 Test performances of MS Dhoni

#5 90 vs South Africa, Centurion 2010

MS Dhoni was an epitome of solidity in technique during India's tour of SA

India's tour of South Africa was a battle between the top 2 test teams with South Africa boasting of possibly their best ever Test team. The first test saw them post 620-4 after India were bundled out for a disastrous 136 and hence India were in an impossible battle to avoid an innings defeat. Trailing by almost 500, India were reduced to 277-6 with defeat seeming minutes away. That is when MSD arrived and produced a breathtaking 90 of 106 balls with strokes of pristine quality against the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel on a helpful Centurion pitch.

Although India would go on to lose that match, the second innings display where Dhoni's 90 helped India make 450 in the second innings provided the much needed morale booster as India went on to win a dramatic second Test on a seaming and green Durban wicket to even the series at one apiece. Dhoni made critical contributions of 35 in a first innings team score of 205 and another crucial 21 in the second innings score of 228 that in a low scoring tight match is as valuable, if not more, than a 200 on a flat track.

India went on to draw the series 1-1 in South Africa and little is talked about the 90 in the first Test or the total of 56 in the second test that were nothing short of some of the most important test runs on away soil by an Indian.