5 MS Dhoni ODI innings that will be remembered forever by the cricketing fraternity

MS Dhoni is arguably the greatest finisher of all time. He is India's greatest ODI skipper and has produced innumerable game winning knocks for the country. With his aggression, he is the one of the most feared batsmen in the world.

In 318 matches for the country in ODIs, Dhoni has scored 9967 runs at a breath-taking average of 51.38. He hit 10 centuries and 67 half-centuries. In 199 ODIs that he has captained, India has won 110, lost 74, tied 4 and 11 ended in a no-result. He is one of the most valuable players of Indian Cricket team for the last 15 years. He is now known for anchoring the innings and launching attack at the right time though he entered the game as a pure hitter.

A very successful cricketer, Dhoni led India to famous ICC World Cup Trophy in 2011, ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, ICC World T20 in 2007 and is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest skippers of all time.

Here are his five innings that will forever stay in our hearts.

#5 45* vs Sri Lanka, Trinidad, 2013

Dhoni hugs Ishanth after the win

India played Sri Lanka in the Finals of the Tri-Series ( India, West Indies, Sri Lanka ) in 2013. India won the toss and chose to bowl first. Apart from Sangakkara's 71 off 100, no one scored much and Sri Lanka got bundled out for 201 in 48.5 overs.

India lost Dhawan and Kohli early and were in deep trouble. Though Dinesh Karthik and Raina made some key contributions to go along with Rohit's 58 off 89, it was MS Dhoni who pulled off the win for India.

With 15 runs needed off the final over after losing 9 wickets, MS once again showed why he is the world's best finisher. He missed to connect the first ball, but in the second ball, he hit Eranga for a six. Eranga was put in pressure and his inexperience in handling such situation and add to it, it was Dhoni who is world's best finisher at the other end meant MS would finish the game with a six and two balls remaining.

Dhoni remained unbeaten on 45* off 52 with 5 fours and 2 sixes, both the sixes came off the final over.

#4 44* vs Australia, Adelaide, 2012

Australia v India - Tri-Series Game 4

This innings will be remembered because of Dhoni's last over heroics. A slow paced innings, MS only made 44* off 58 with only one boundary, a six that came off the final over but this has to be one of the most memorable innings of Dhoni.

India were playing in the Tri-Series ( India, Australia, Sri Lanka ) in 2012. In the 4th match, India faced Australia at Adelaide and MS produced one of his greatest and most underrated knocks. India were chasing 270 and the match came down to the wire.

India needed 12 off 4, when MS who did not score a single boundary all day launched a mammoth six over long-on in Clint McKay's bowling. Then, MS in his usual calmness hit the remaining winning runs with 2 balls remaining. India got a much-needed revenge with the win against Australia after losing to them in the first match.

#3 148 vs Pakistan, Visakhapatnam, 2005

Dhoni celebrates his maiden ton

Maiden century is always special. It is even special when it comes against arch-rival Pakistan. This was the first instance that proved to the world what Dhoni is capable of doing.

This was during the India vs Pakistan series in 2005. India won the first ODI by 87 runs, thanks to Sehwag and Dravid, both getting centuries. India were looking to continue the momentum in the second game and Dhoni rose to the occasion. India won the toss and chose to bat. Tendulkar got run-out for a mere 2 runs in the second ODI, MS Dhoni then came in and changed the dynamics of the match. He scored 148 runs off just 123 balls with 15 fours and 4 sixes, with a high strike rate of 120.33. His heroics lifted India to a huge total of 356-9 in 50 overs.

Pakistan, in return, could not chase it down as they got bundled out for 298 in 44.1 overs. Nehra ran through the arch-rival's batting line up and finished with 4/72 in his allotted 10 overs. Dhoni was adjudged the man of the match for his mammoth innings that helped them achieve a huge total and made the bowlers' job easier to job.

#2 183* vs Sri Lanka, Jaipur, 2005

MSD in action

This innings made MS Dhoni, an overnight star even though he was known for his aggressive batting. Less than a year after making his debut in ODI, Dhoni destroyed the Sri Lankan bowling attack in 2005 at Jaipur to take India to a victory. This innings was filled with shots all over the park and no one could stop him that day.

Sri Lanka toured India in 2005 for a 7-match ODI series. After dominating the first two ODIs, India went 2-0 up without any difficulty. The Game 3 happened at Jaipur and Sri Lanka after winning the toss, chose to bat first. They scored 298-4 in 50 overs, behind Sangakkara's 138 off 147.

India had a bad start losing Sachin very early in the game. MS Dhoni walked in at No.3 when the scoreboard read 7-1. Dhoni then launched a scathing attack on the Lanka bowlers and annihilated them. His innings consisted of 15 fours and 10 sixes. He remained unbeaten on 183* off just 145 balls and India chased down the total in just 46.1 overs.

The way Dhoni batted, if the game had not got over, Dhoni would have probably gotten to a double century. To no one's surprise, MS was indeed adjudged the man of the match. He also went on to win the man of the series award as India clinched it 6-1.

#1 91* vs Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 2011 Finals

Dhoni hits a six over long-on

This has to be #1 on this list. There's no two ways about it. This innings has to go down as the greatest MS Dhoni's innings of all time. This innings helped India clinch world cup after 28 years and made every Indian proud.

India were playing Sri Lanka in the finals of ICC World Cup 2011 Finals. India who lost two early wickets in the form of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and star opener Virender Sehwag were in trouble. Gambhir stitched a partnership of 83 runs with Virat Kohli befor the latter got dismissed by Dilshan. Everyone expected Yuvraj Singh to walk in at his usual slot of No.5, which he has been doing the whole tournament but in came MS Dhoni to everyone's surprise and rest is history.

MS Dhoni played a very calculated innings with boundaries now and then, built a much needed partnership of 109 runs with Gautam Gambhir. He hit 8 fours and 2 sixes. The six that he hit over long-on in Kulasekara's over to finish the match and bring home the prestigious trophy will forever stay in the hearts of every true Indian Cricket fan.

Dhoni finished the game remaining unbeaten on 91* off 79 balls. He was adjudged the man of the match. This innings is very important because it was Finals of the World Cup and MS in particular, did not enjoy a great tournament with the bat until this innings, even though the team was winning.