Top 5 underrated MS Dhoni knocks in the IPL you may not remember
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, MS Dhoni celebrates his 43rd birthday on July 7. Dhoni is the most successful captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history with 133 wins in 226 games. The 2024 season saw him pass the CSK baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Overall, Dhoni has amassed 5,243 runs in 264 games at an average of 39.13 and a strike rate of 137.54, with 24 fifties. Through all these years, the veteran wicket-keeper batter has played some memorable knocks under pressure.
However, his few clutch knocks have gone under the radar; let's take a look at the five of them.
#5 43* off 35 vs MI, IPL 2008
Match 36 of IPL 2008 witnessed Chennai Super Kings facing the challenge of Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. Mumbai chose to bowl and inflicted early strikes, which left Chennai reeling at 46/4.
However, MS Dhoni arrived at No. 6, and kept the team in good stead, with his balanced approach; choosing bad balls to secure boundaries. He stitched a 95-run stand with Subramaniam Badrinath (53). In the end, Dhoni remained unbeaten on 43 off 35, with six fours and a six, as CSK reached a defendable 156.
In response, Sanath Jayasuriya (114* off 48) proved to be a lethal customer at the office, as he helped MI seal the chase under 14 overs.
#4 42 off 29 vs DC, IPL 2010
In the fifth game of IPL 2010, the Deccan Chargers and the Super Kings were pitted against each other in Chennai. Andrew Symonds (50) top-scored for the Chargers, as they posted 190 on the board.
Then, Dhoni came to the crease, when CSK were in a precarious situation of 32/4 in the sixth over. Assessing the conditions quickly, the right-handed batter was up to his task to find consistent boundaries, while getting support from Albie Morkel (42*).
Dhoni looked in good touch until the 15th over, when he was bowled by Symonds for 42 off 29 balls. Although CSK went on to lose the game by 59 runs, the CSK skipper showed his fighting spirit that day.
#3 58* off 37 vs DC, IPL 2009
On May 4, 2009, MS Dhoni's CSK met the Chargers. Murali Vijay (31) and Matthew Hayden (43) stitched an impressive 61-run opening stand to provide a strong start to the side.
Thereafter, Dhoni arrived at No. 3 and looked in ominous touch to drive the team at a comfortable rate. He slammed an unbeaten 58 off 37, with six fours and a six, while stitching an important 54-run stand with Suresh Raina (31).
As a result, CSK ended up on 178 and then restricted the Chargers to 100 to dominate the proceedings.
Interestingly, it was only one of the eighth occasions, when Dhoni batted at No. 3 in the IPL. He has 196 runs at an average of 32.67 and a strike rate of 124.84 at this position.
#2 70* off 40 vs RCB, IPL 2011
Game 69 of IPL 2011 witnessed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) up against Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, CSK were rocked by early strikes, as they were at 22/4 in the sixth over.
However, MS Dhoni again came to CSK's rescue, as he stitched an important 42-run stand with Wriddhiman Saha (22). Although the rest of the players fell like nine pins, Dhoni played an aggressive brand of cricket to remain unbeaten on 70 off 40, with six sixes and three fours. His impactful contribution paved the way for Chennai to set a target of 129 for RCB.
Although Chris Gayle (75*) powered RCB to an eight-wicket victory, Dhoni's knock ranks as one of the finest in all these years, when all the chips are down.
#1 63* off 45 vs MI, IPL 2013 final
The IPL 2013 final was played between Mumbai and Chennai at the Eden Gardens. The Rohit Sharma-led side managed to post 148, courtesy of Kieron Pollard (63*).
In response, CSK were put under incessant pressure by Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson, as they were at 36/5 in the seventh over. Despite not getting support from the other end, Dhoni's explosive maximums kept MI in check.
Dhoni was particularly lethal against Pragyan Ojha and Pollard, while hitting two sixes and a four in the final over of the game. His single-handed effort of 63 off 45 balls saw CSK lessen the losing deficit to 23 runs.