Top 5 knocks of MS Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings in IPL

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Arguably, the greatest limited-overs captain the world has ever seen, MS Dhoni recently announced his retirement from international cricket, putting an end to his stellar international career. A man who has given countless memories to rejoice, it would be fair to say that his contribution to Indian cricket lay well beyond his numbers.

MS Dhoni has been the face of Indian cricket for close to a decade. Besides, he has made a significant contribution for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Under the leadership of Dhoni, CSK won three titles.

Over the years, the CSK skipper has played some ravishing knocks in IPL.

Here’s a look at his top 5 knocks in the cash-rich league:

2011 IPL: 70 off 40 balls against RCB

CSK were off to a worst possible start, having lost 4 wickets for just 22 runs in 6 overs. However, what followed was mayhem from the former Indian skipper. Dhoni lit the stadium with a flurry of boundaries.

He smacked 3 fours and 6 sixes en-route to his 70 off just 40 balls. However, despite his knock, CSK could only post 128 runs on the board. RCB chased down the total comfortably in 18 overs.

2019 IPL: 84 off 48 balls against RCB

MS Dhoni played some outstanding knocks in the 2019 IPL but nothing can beat the one played against RCB. In pursuit of the 161-run total set by RCB, CSK were reeling at 83 for 5 in 13 overs. 79 runs were needed in just 7 overs. Playing at a strike rate of 175, Dhoni went on a leather hunt.

He smashed 7 sixes and 5 fours en-route to his breathtaking 84-run knock off 48 balls. Needing 26 off the final over, Dhoni smashed 1 four and 3 sixes in the first five balls. He, however, got out in the final ball of the over as CSK lost the game by just 1 one runs. Nevertheless, Dhoni’s knock will always be etched in the minds of people.

2012 IPL Eliminator: 51 off 20 balls against MI

In a do or die game, MS Dhoni once again stepped up and help his side register an emphatic victory. In the eliminator game between MI and CSK, CSK, once again, lost early wickets in the form of Raina and Vijay inside 2 overs.

Hussey and Badrinath got involved in a 94-run stand but final flourish was still needed. Entered Dhoni and the ball went to all parts of the ground. He smacked 51 runs off just 20 balls, guiding his team to a formidable total of 188 runs in the first innings. CSK won that game by 38 runs.

IPL 2010: 54 off 29 balls against KXIP

The 54th match between CSK and KXIP of 2010 IPL exemplified why he is touted as the best finisher in the world. It was the rarest of incidents when Dhoni got too emotional after his heroics helped his side win the game.

Riding on Shaun Marsh’s epic 57-ball 88, Punjab had put on 192 runs on the board in the first innings. In reply, Suresh Raina and Badrinath laid the foundation with a fine partnership. However, when the former got out, more than 100 runs were still needed in the last 10 overs. MS Dhoni took it upon himself and played a gem of an innings. With 16 runs needed of the last over, Dhoni smashed 1 four and two sixes to finish the game with one ball still to be played.

Dhoni scored 54 runs off 29 balls, a knock which was laced with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

IPL 2016: 64 off 49 balls against KXIP

The opposition was the same but this time Dhoni was wearing a different jersey. In pursuit of the 172-run total set by KXIP, RPS never looked like in the chase until MS Dhoni arrived. He made a watchful start and took the game till the very end. 22 runs were needed in the last over. Dhoni smacked a six on the second ball of the over followed by a dot.

The last three balls were met with a four followed by two sixes. The crowd erupted with joy as Dhoni pulled off a spectacular win in the last ball thriller.

Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin shares his Top 5 moments with MS Dhoni