MS Dhoni has made himself a name with his astute leadership, impeccable batting knocks, and lightning-fast stumpings. The blend of these 2 characteristics has helped him climb new heights on the international level and in the IPL.
Dhoni’s cool-mindedness and immaculate batting performances in crunch situations have won many games for his team. And his finishing skills are second to none, making him one of the greatest finishers in the game.
Captain Cool MSD has had an incredible career in the IPL, dotted with many fabulous batting outings.
This article delves into MS Dhoni’s 5 best batting performances in the IPL.
5. 64* (32) vs Kings XI Punjab | 2016
MS Dhoni was leading the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in the 2016 season. The team had an underwhelming outing that season, and they wanted to finish it on a higher note.
The game against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) was the last league game for RPS. Batting first, KXIP posted 172 runs on the board.
While chasing, RPS found themselves in a crunch position at 78 for 3 in the 12th over. Then MS Dhoni strode on the crease, but 2 more wickets fell under 8 runs, pushing RPS batters under more pressure.
However, Dhoni kept cool and partnered with Thisara Perera for a crucial 58-run partnership. The game wasn’t over yet, as RPS needed 29 off the last 2 overs. But that’s when tragedy struck, and Perera lost his wicket.
Cut to the last over, they needed 23 to win, and MSD turned on his finisher mode. He smacked Axar Patel for 3 sixes and 1 four to take home the match.
In the end, Dhoni scored an unbeaten 64 off 32 balls, including 4 fours and 5 sixes. One of those sixes smashed against Sandeep Sharma over the long off landed 103 meters long.
4. 66* (33) vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 2010
CSK were facing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens and were in a tough spot at 55 for 3 at the start of the 10th over.
Now, Chennai needed to accelerate their run rate to put up a fighting total on the board. And that’s what MS Dhoni did and how!
When Dhoni came on the pitch, he took his time to settle. But once he got hold of the conditions, he went berserk in the last 5 overs.
The first six of the innings came off the bat of the man himself, opening the floodgates for CSK. Then the crowd at the Eden Gardens witnessed the massacre by MSD.
The keeper-batter smashed 9 boundaries against the likes of Shane Bond, Ishant Sharma, and Laxmi Shukla. His powerful knock garnered him 66 runs in 33 balls at an astounding strike rate of 200.
Also Read | The 10 Greatest Indian Batsmen of All Time
3. 51* (20) vs Mumbai Indians | 2012
This was a monstrous knock from MS Dhoni against the Mumbai Indians and came in a must-win game. CSK were up against MI in the Elimination Final of the 2012 season.
After being asked to bat first, CSK were 95 for 3 in the 14th over. Then MS Dhoni came with his whirlwind knock against their staunch rivals.
He started his innings by striking a four and didn’t lift his foot from the pedal. Captain Cool continued his onslaught against the Mumbai bowlers, smashing them across the park.
Dhoni brought up his 50 in a mere 20 balls, which is his fastest fifty in the league. His unbeaten 51 came at a mind-blowing strike rate of 255, including 6 fours and 2 massive sixes.
The captain’s knock from Dhoni helped CSK post 187 runs on the scoreboard and win the game by 38 runs.
Also Read | MI vs CSK Head-to-Head in IPL History
2. 70* (34) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2018
CSK had a task cut for themselves as they had a mammoth target of 206 runs to chase down. However, they were in a tricky situation at 74 for 4 in Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Dhoni stitched an important 100-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu for the 5th wicket, taking Chennai closer to the target. MSD built his innings with occasional outbursts to match up with the required run rate.
Rayudu lost his wicket at the end of the 18th over, but the game was far from over. The game was hanging in the balance, with 30 needed off 12 balls.
MSD held his nerves and took the game deeper, along with Dwayne Bravo. And then he finished the game in style with a six to seal the match.
That was 1 of the 7 sixes he slammed in his incredible knock of 70 not out off 34 balls.
Also Read | CSK vs RCB Head-to-Head in IPL History
1. 84* (48) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2019
Fast forward to 2019, and MS Dhoni delivered an absolute cracker of an innings against the same opposition at the same venue.
Chasing the target of 161, CSK found themselves in a fix, losing 4 wickets on 28 runs. Enter Dhoni, and he gave a major scare to RCB.
MSD started off his innings by hitting a four, making his intentions clear. He built his innings with patience and unleashed his power-hitting as the game entered death overs.
The skipper kept CSK in the game with his unbeaten 84 runs, taking the match to the last ball. However, the herculean effort went in vain as CSK fell short of a run.
Nonetheless, Dhoni’s 48-ball knock almost pulled off a victory for CSK. 7 sixes and 5 fours dotted the superb innings of 84 runs, which is his highest score in the IPL.
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