Dhoni A Perfect Finisher: 4 Instances Of A Perfect Dhoni Finish
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Dhoni A Perfect Finisher
Mahendra Singh Dhoni earned a name for himself as a fine chaser during his early days. He soon went on to become one of the finest finishers in the game. There was a belief that as long as Dhoni was at the crease the game wasn’t lost. He scripted many famous victories for the team coming down the order. Dhoni expertly paced his innings knowing when to strike and when to hold back. He has been part of many wonderful finishers.
We look at 4 such instances of a perfect Dhoni finish:
#4 183* (145) vs Sri Lanka, Jaipur – 2005
MS Dhoni had famously scored his maiden ODI century batting at number 3. He was sent in at number 3 in the third ODI against Sri Lanka. India was chasing 300 and lost an early wicket. Dhoni hammered the Lankan bowling right from the word go. He was severe on some of the biggest names in the game.
Dhoni didn’t spare Chaminda Vaas or Muttiah Muralitharan in his no-holds-barred approach. He smashed a career-best 183* to dent Lanka. This innings announced the arrival of a superstar in world cricket.
#3 45* (52) vs Sri Lanka, Port of Spain – 2013
It was the final of the Celkon Cup in 2013. India was fresh from winning the Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni. They had lost the first two games tamely. India came back winning the next two games to reach the finals. Dhoni himself played in the finals after recovering from an injury. India had restricted Lanka to a modest score. They were cruising in their response at one stage.
But India soon lost their way and was staring at a shock defeat. It was herein where Dhoni channelized the inner finisher in him. He shepherded the tail brilliantly to take the game deep. India needed 15 runs off the final over. Dhoni missed the first ball amping up the tension. He then calmly dispatched the next three balls for 6,4, and a six. India won yet another thriller. They had the master finisher to thank!
#2 72* (46) vs Pakistan, Lahore – 2006
India was in a spot of bother losing half their side chasing a stiff target. Yuvraj Singh was the set batter at one end. MS Dhoni walked in at number 7 to join Yuvraj. The Pakistani pacers were breathing fire having taken a flurry of wickets. But Dhoni counterattacked in the most brutal fashion. He took down the bowling scoring a brilliant 72 not out off just 46 balls. Pakistan didn’t know what hit them.
The former Pakistan PM even claimed to be bowled over by Dhoni’s knock. It was a compliment of the highest order. Dhoni went on to repeat his heroics in the final game of the series stroking a 56-ball 77. This knock proved that Dhoni’s brilliance is no fluke.
#1 91* (79) vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai – 2011
Dhoni was out for a duck in the World Cup game against Sri Lanka in 2007. He didn’t have the best of times leading into the World Cup final in 2011. Sri Lankan spinners could have been more than a handful for the Indian middle order. Dhoni backed himself ahead of player of the tournament Yuvraj Singh.
He believed he could be the one to have answers against Muralitharan’s wizardry. Dhoni in tandem with Gautam Gambhir staged a brilliant chase. His winning six off Nuwan Kulasekara remains an iconic moment in world cricket.
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