A throwback to five of MS Dhoni's best run chases after his finishing masterclass in Pallekele

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • MS Dhoni put on another finishing masterclass at Pallekele on Thursday.

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at it again at Pallekele on Thursday, doing what he does best. Arguably the greatest finisher in ODIs at the moment, he guided India home from a perilous position of 7-131 to chase down the target of 231 runs in the company of number nine Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

    The Ranchi-born maverick’s ice cool temperament while chasing has seen him touch an average of almost 100, the highest among batsman with a minimum of 1000 ODI runs.

    Dhoni has been part of many a memorable run chases over the course of his distinguished career.

    Here, we take a look at five of the former India skipper’s finishing master-classes.

    Zimbabwe Vs India – Harare, September 2005

    In the Videocon Tri-series game between the hosts and India, Saurav Ganguly’s men had been set a challenging target of 251. The visitors had been reduced to 91 for five when Dhoni walked in to partner Yuvraj Singh at the crease.

    A shock upset was on the cards but a then 24-year-old Dhoni showed a sense of calmness and maturity that has now become his customary style. He would score an unbeaten 67 off 63 deliveries to get Indian past the finishing line after Yuvraj Singh’s century at the other end.

    India would win the match by four wickets with 11 deliveries to spare eventually.

    Dhoni broke Zimbabwe hearts with his display.

    Dhoni broke Zimbabwe hearts with his display.

    India Vs Sri Lanka – Port of Spain, July 2013

    This was the Tri-nations series held between West Indies, Sri Lanka and India in the Caribbean. The two subcontinent teams had made it to the final where Sri Lanka set India a tricky target of 202 on a lively track.

    Dhoni came in to bat after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal with the score at 139 for four but could only watch from the other end as Rangana Herath ran through India’s batting-order. While everyone else around him kept falling like nine-pins, the calm Dhoni bided his time only to unleash his best at the last.

    With 15 runs to get in the final over with only one wicket in hand, the odds were stacked against India. Dhoni failed to connect with the first delivery as the pressure-levels continued to rise.

    ‘Captain Cool’ hit two sixes and one boundary in the next three deliveries to pull off an improbable chase and hand India the trophy.

    Dhoni is lifted by Ishant Sharma after pulling off stunning escape.

    Dhoni is lifted by Ishant Sharma after pulling off a stunning escape.

    India Vs Bangladesh – Dhaka, March 2016

    After multiple weather disruptions and a thunderstorm, the Asia Cup final was a curtailed affair with 15 overs for each side. A Mahmudullah special of 33 runs from 13 deliveries meant India were set an imposing target of 121.

    India were motoring along nicely without too much damage but Bangladesh managed to keep the run flow in check and by the time Dhoni arrived to the crease at the fall of Shikhar Dhawan’s wicket, the equation was 22 required from 14 deliveries.

    The skipper was in an explosive mood as he hit two massive sixes and a boundary in the penultimate over to hand India their sixth Asia Cup title. His unbeaten 20 off just six deliveries crushed all hopes of a Bangladesh victory.

    Dhoni's unbeaten 20 off just 6 balls was the catalyst to India's victory.

    Dhoni’s unbeaten 20 off just 6 balls was the catalyst to India’s victory.

    India Vs Australia – Adelaide, February 2012

    In the fourth game of the Commonwealth ODI series between Australia and India, Michael Clarke’s men had set a tricky target of 269 runs after winning the toss.

    Gautam Gambhir’s 92 runs at the top were about to go in vain as the Aussies tightened the noose around India’s neck. The visitors required 13 runs from the final over with Ravichandran Ashwin on strike. After a dot-ball to start things of, Ashwin took a single in the second delivery from Clint McKay to give Dhoni the strike.

    The skipper sent the third delivery deep into the Adelaide Oval’s stands for a maximum but was caught off a waist-high full toss in the next delivery.

    However, a no-ball was called meaning India required three runs from the final two balls. Dhoni pulled the penultimate behind square to steal three as India romped home to a famous victory.

    Dhoni celebrates after hitting the winning runs.

    Dhoni celebrates after hitting the winning runs.

    India Vs Sri Lanka – Mumbai, April 2011

    Finally, the ‘crème de la crème’ of Dhoni’s finishing school and what an occasion to boot. Dhoni had led India to the final of the 2011 ICC World Cup where they faced old foes Sri Lanka in the final at the Wankhede.

    The islanders put up an imposing 274 runs in their innings after choosing to bat first and India were in a spot of bother after losing openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag cheaply to Lasith Malinga’s opening spell.

    The skipper walked on to the crease with the weight of a billion people on his shoulders after the fall of Virat Kohli’s wicket. He maintained his composure and never let the pressure get to him as he and Gautam Gambhir took charge of the situation.

    His partner fell before crossing the finish line but Dhoni was there to make it a fairy-tale ending for the hosts as he smashed Nuwan Kulasekera for a huge six over his head to hand India their second World title.

    He remained unbeaten on 91 off just 79 balls in a career-defining innings.

    The reaction of Yuvraj Singh says it all as Dhoni hits the winning six.

    The reaction of Yuvraj Singh says it all as Dhoni hits the winning six.

    Recommended