MS Dhoni during the 2011 World Cup final [X]

MS Dhoni has been one of the biggest contributors in Indian cricketers. He established himself as one of the best captains not only in the history of Indian cricket but also in the international arena. 

The Indian team under his leadership won almost all the trophies possible in international cricket. 

Besides winning multiple accolades India also won series under him that the nation had not achieved before. While being an able leader, MS Dhoni also played a vital part as a finisher and a middle order batter for the team. In this article, we will take a look at the top five knocks by MS Dhoni in international cricket. 

5. 76* vs England – 1st Test  At Lord’s, 2007

MS Dhoni at Lord’s in 2007 [X]

MS Dhoni did not have a great first innings in this game as he managed only five ball duck. However, he delivered under pressure when India were in trouble in chase of 380 in their second innings. MSD scored 76 unbeaten runs and hung along with RP Singh for the last wicket till rain arrive and saved the day for India. India were 100 runs away from the target and had only one wicket in hand, so the resilience showed by MSD and RP Singh during the last wicket partnership was crucial for India. 

4. 183* (145) vs Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI at Jaipur, 2005

MS Dhoni during his 183* vs Sri Lanka [X]

India were under pressure in this game while chasing a target of 299 against Sri Lanka. The then Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly promoted MS Dhoni to number three and it turned to be a game changing move. The young and flamboyant, MS Dhoni decimated the Sri Lankan bowlers to scored 183* off 145 balls. Courtesy of his knock India managed to win the game by six wickets with 23 balls remaining in the match. 

3. 99 (246) vs England – 4th Test at Nagpur, 2012

MS Dhoni after being dismissed for 99 against England in Nagpur [X]

In this tour to India, England gave the home team a taste of their own medicine. The English spinners made life difficult for the Indian batters throughout the series and by this game they were leading the series by 2-1. India were under pressure at 71/4 when MS Dhoni joined Virat Kohli in the middle. Both the batters went against their aggressive nature and showed great grit and resilience to bring India back into the game. MSD fell prey to a run-out while being just one short of a well deserved Hundred. The match ultimately ended in a draw.

2. 113*(125) vs Pakistan – 1st ODI at Chennai, 2012

MS Dhoni during his 113 vs Pakistan in 2012 [X]

This ODI knock by MS Dhoni was a testament of how he prospered under pressure. India were batting first in this game and were staring down the barrel at 29/5 when MS Dhoni came to bat. He had a good partnership with Suresh Raina, but the southpaw was also dismissed when the team’s score was 102. Even with wickets falling around him, MSD was unfazed. He stayed strong scored his Hundred and stitched a partnership of 125 runs with Ravichandran Ashwin to take India’s total to fighting 227 at the end of 50 overs. Although, Pakistan chased down the target easily in 48.1 overs losing only four wickets, the grit, resilience and character shown by MS Dhoni during the innings make it one of the best he has played in the international arena. 

1.91*(79) vs Sri Lanka- 2011 World Cup Final At Wankhede

MS Dhoni vs Sri Lanka in 2011 World Cup final [X]

The Sri Lankan team posted a challenging total of 277 runs while batting first in this big game. Though after the initial struggles, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir had steadied the ship, India were not completely out of trouble, when MS Dhoni walked into bat at 114/3. It was surprise move by MS as he was completely out of form throughout the tournament and it also meant the demotion of inform Yuvraj Singh. However, the best of the Indian skipper came in the big night where he scored 91 unbeaten runs off 79 deliveries while stitching a match-winning partnership with Gautam Gambhir (97 off 122). This knock will remain the most important in MSD’s career because of the occasion. 

(These innings are ranked as per the impact or the situation in which the innings came. It is completely the writer’s opinion and discretion).