MS Dhoni called time on his Test career
after India drew the third Test with Australia in Melbourne. Though he
isn’t regarded by many as a quality Test player, he did produce some
memorable performances with the bat. Irrespective of the final verdict,
one cannot deny the value of those performances. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks Dhoni’s 10 most memorable knocks in Test cricket.
1. 148 vs Pakistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: January 2006
There was a typical rustic charm to this knock — typical of the young Mahendra Singh Dhoni who had bursted on to the scene with some breathtaking performances in one-day cricket. Up against Pakistan’s 588, India were reduced to 258 for four when Dhoni walked out to bat. Facing Shoaib Akhtar, he pulled one into the stands over square-leg. The youngster was ready to take on the mighty paceman. India had then slipped to 281 for five, but Dhoni played in his trademark way and smacked the ball around with disdain. He smacked 19 fours and four sixes en route to 148, his first Test century. By the time he was out, India were close to 500 and had averted the possibility of a defeat.
2. 76 not out vs England at Lord’s: July 2007
Under the grey skies at Lord’s, India were chasing 380 to win on the final day at Lord’s. India resumed the day on 137 for three and lost two quick wickets as Dhoni had to walk in. Facing an attack comprising Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson, men who exploited the swinging conditions, Dhoni battled in the company of VVS Laxman, who scored 39. However, once Laxman was out, Dhoni guided the last four batsmen through the last 15 overs as the heavens grew darker. Batting with the last man, Dhoni walked back when umpires called off play for bad light. Dhoni’s unbeaten 76 was crucial in context of the series as India won the next game and drew the third, thereby clinching the rubber 1-0.
3. 57 vs Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi: November 2007
On a tricky wicket at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Pakistan had managed 231 after batting first. In reply, India lost wickets in a heap and were in a muddle when they found themselves at 93 for five. Dhoni walked out to join Kaneria and injected life into the innings. He mixed caution and aggression to pick boundaries and moved to 57. The most interesting aspect of this knock was the way he handled Danish Kaneria, who was purchasing turn on the wicket. By the time Dhoni was dismissed, India were close to Pakistan’s total and they managed a slender lead that proved crucial in hindsight.
4. 38 vs Australia at WACA, Perth: January 2008
This one may have been a sub-50 score but a crucial one in context of the game. It is also one of the forgotten knocks with other more prominent performances stealing the limelight. In the second innings in Perth, India had slumped to 160 for six when Dhoni walked out. They had a lead of 118 and needed a bigger score to challenge the might of Australia in Perth. Dhoni consumed deliveries and batted out a tough period with Laxman. Showing extreme patience, he helped India muddle through that phase and attacked only when the opportunity presented itself. The fact that he faced 87 balls for his 38 and hit two fours and two sixes, shows how restrained he was for a major part. Laxman then went on to take the lead beyond 400 which proved too much for Australia as India completed a historic victory.
5. 92 vs Australia at PCA Stadium, Mohali: October 2008
With Anil Kumble out due to injury, Dhoni got a chance to lead India in Tests for the second time. Against Australia in Mohali, he walked out to bat at 305 for five and then enforced himself on the game. His innings of 92 was authoritative and put Australia on the backfoot. Though Sourav Ganguly scored a ton, it was Dhoni’s innings that delivered the knockout punch in the first innings. To top it all, he promoted himself to No. 3 in the second innings and smashed 68 as India set a 516-run target for Australia. India won the game by 320 runs.
6. 55 vs Australia at the VCA Stadium Jamtha, Nagpur: November 2008
Another one of those forgotten gems. India had an 87-run lead going into the second innings against Australia in Nagpur. Australia hit back with quick wickets as India were down to 166 for six. Dhoni then batted patiently with Harbhajan Singh to construct a 108-run stand and help India post a target of 382 for Australia. It was Dhoni’s first Test as captain after the baton official passed down from Kumble who retired after the previous Test. In winning this game, India beat Australia 2-0 and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
7. 110 vs Sri Lanka at Sardar Patel Stadium Motera, Ahmedabad: November 2009
On a wintry morning in Ahmedabad, Sri Lanka’s seamers had rocked the Indian top-order. Yuvraj Singh and Dravid managed to script a recovery of sorts taking India to 157 for five. Dhoni walked in and played the role of the enforcer. He took the attack to the bowlers and was severe on the spinners. Dravid and Dhoni put up a partnership of 224 runs as India finished Day One on 385 for six.
8. 132 not out vs South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata: February 2010
India had bowled South Africa out for 296 and were then led by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar’s tons. However, they lost three quick wickets and were 384 for six. Laxman and Dhoni chalked out another stand, this time worth 269 runs. Dhoni smashed 132 not out with 12 fours and three sixes as India piled a huge score of 643. This knock ensured that India did not have to bat again and that they could put South Africa under pressure in the fourth innings. India won the game in the nick of time and held on to their top spot in the Test rankings.
9. 224 vs Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: February 2013
Perhaps Dhoni’s most important innings. It was just brutal. Batting at No. 6, Dhoni helped India get past Australia’s first innings 380 and then launched into the attack. Dhoni bludgeoned as many as six sixes and 24 fours as he went on to score his maiden double ton in Test cricket. With the No. 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he constructed a stand worth 140, out of which the tailender managed only 38. Dhoni’s innings remains one of the highest by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Australia never recovered from that as India went on to win the first Test.
10. 71 vs England at Old Trafford, Manchester: August 2014
During India’s tumultuous tour to England in 2014, Dhoni vindicated himself as a batsman as he consistently performed under testing circumstances. He walked in to bat when India were jolted for eight for four in the first innings. Battling the swing and all the tricks, he worked his way to a brave 71. The innings was one of great temperament and measure. Sadly, it would also be forgotten as India slipped to another embarrassing defeat.
1. 148 vs Pakistan at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad: January 2006
There was a typical rustic charm to this knock — typical of the young Mahendra Singh Dhoni who had bursted on to the scene with some breathtaking performances in one-day cricket. Up against Pakistan’s 588, India were reduced to 258 for four when Dhoni walked out to bat. Facing Shoaib Akhtar, he pulled one into the stands over square-leg. The youngster was ready to take on the mighty paceman. India had then slipped to 281 for five, but Dhoni played in his trademark way and smacked the ball around with disdain. He smacked 19 fours and four sixes en route to 148, his first Test century. By the time he was out, India were close to 500 and had averted the possibility of a defeat.
2. 76 not out vs England at Lord’s: July 2007
Under the grey skies at Lord’s, India were chasing 380 to win on the final day at Lord’s. India resumed the day on 137 for three and lost two quick wickets as Dhoni had to walk in. Facing an attack comprising Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson, men who exploited the swinging conditions, Dhoni battled in the company of VVS Laxman, who scored 39. However, once Laxman was out, Dhoni guided the last four batsmen through the last 15 overs as the heavens grew darker. Batting with the last man, Dhoni walked back when umpires called off play for bad light. Dhoni’s unbeaten 76 was crucial in context of the series as India won the next game and drew the third, thereby clinching the rubber 1-0.
3. 57 vs Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi: November 2007
On a tricky wicket at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Pakistan had managed 231 after batting first. In reply, India lost wickets in a heap and were in a muddle when they found themselves at 93 for five. Dhoni walked out to join Kaneria and injected life into the innings. He mixed caution and aggression to pick boundaries and moved to 57. The most interesting aspect of this knock was the way he handled Danish Kaneria, who was purchasing turn on the wicket. By the time Dhoni was dismissed, India were close to Pakistan’s total and they managed a slender lead that proved crucial in hindsight.
4. 38 vs Australia at WACA, Perth: January 2008
This one may have been a sub-50 score but a crucial one in context of the game. It is also one of the forgotten knocks with other more prominent performances stealing the limelight. In the second innings in Perth, India had slumped to 160 for six when Dhoni walked out. They had a lead of 118 and needed a bigger score to challenge the might of Australia in Perth. Dhoni consumed deliveries and batted out a tough period with Laxman. Showing extreme patience, he helped India muddle through that phase and attacked only when the opportunity presented itself. The fact that he faced 87 balls for his 38 and hit two fours and two sixes, shows how restrained he was for a major part. Laxman then went on to take the lead beyond 400 which proved too much for Australia as India completed a historic victory.
5. 92 vs Australia at PCA Stadium, Mohali: October 2008
With Anil Kumble out due to injury, Dhoni got a chance to lead India in Tests for the second time. Against Australia in Mohali, he walked out to bat at 305 for five and then enforced himself on the game. His innings of 92 was authoritative and put Australia on the backfoot. Though Sourav Ganguly scored a ton, it was Dhoni’s innings that delivered the knockout punch in the first innings. To top it all, he promoted himself to No. 3 in the second innings and smashed 68 as India set a 516-run target for Australia. India won the game by 320 runs.
6. 55 vs Australia at the VCA Stadium Jamtha, Nagpur: November 2008
Another one of those forgotten gems. India had an 87-run lead going into the second innings against Australia in Nagpur. Australia hit back with quick wickets as India were down to 166 for six. Dhoni then batted patiently with Harbhajan Singh to construct a 108-run stand and help India post a target of 382 for Australia. It was Dhoni’s first Test as captain after the baton official passed down from Kumble who retired after the previous Test. In winning this game, India beat Australia 2-0 and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
7. 110 vs Sri Lanka at Sardar Patel Stadium Motera, Ahmedabad: November 2009
On a wintry morning in Ahmedabad, Sri Lanka’s seamers had rocked the Indian top-order. Yuvraj Singh and Dravid managed to script a recovery of sorts taking India to 157 for five. Dhoni walked in and played the role of the enforcer. He took the attack to the bowlers and was severe on the spinners. Dravid and Dhoni put up a partnership of 224 runs as India finished Day One on 385 for six.
8. 132 not out vs South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata: February 2010
India had bowled South Africa out for 296 and were then led by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar’s tons. However, they lost three quick wickets and were 384 for six. Laxman and Dhoni chalked out another stand, this time worth 269 runs. Dhoni smashed 132 not out with 12 fours and three sixes as India piled a huge score of 643. This knock ensured that India did not have to bat again and that they could put South Africa under pressure in the fourth innings. India won the game in the nick of time and held on to their top spot in the Test rankings.
9. 224 vs Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: February 2013
Perhaps Dhoni’s most important innings. It was just brutal. Batting at No. 6, Dhoni helped India get past Australia’s first innings 380 and then launched into the attack. Dhoni bludgeoned as many as six sixes and 24 fours as he went on to score his maiden double ton in Test cricket. With the No. 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he constructed a stand worth 140, out of which the tailender managed only 38. Dhoni’s innings remains one of the highest by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Australia never recovered from that as India went on to win the first Test.
10. 71 vs England at Old Trafford, Manchester: August 2014
During India’s tumultuous tour to England in 2014, Dhoni vindicated himself as a batsman as he consistently performed under testing circumstances. He walked in to bat when India were jolted for eight for four in the first innings. Battling the swing and all the tricks, he worked his way to a brave 71. The innings was one of great temperament and measure. Sadly, it would also be forgotten as India slipped to another embarrassing defeat.
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