15 of MS Dhoni – Recalling his five best ODI knocks of all time 

December 23 each year is a special day for fans of Indian cricket and more so, for the fans of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The former India captain and one of the best finishers in the world in his prime, MS Dhoni made his international debut against Bangladesh in Chittagong on December 23, 2004. Although he scored a golden duck on his debut, and managed only 19 runs across three matches on that tour, he came back stronger in the home series against Pakistan in 2005, the one in which he smashed a record 123-ball 148. It was from that innings when the golden era of MS Dhoni began. 15 years down the line, Dhoni does not seem to have enough fuel left in his tank, so it seems from the sabbatical that he has taken after the ODI World Cup 2019. While it is still been debated upon as to whether Dhoni's time is up, some still argue that the former skipper should be a part of India's World T20 plans. As ‘captain cool’ completes 15 years in international cricket today, here is recalling his top five ODI knocks of all time.

#5 148 against Pakistan, 2005

Dhoni celebrates his maiden ODI ton

Dhoni’s maiden ODI century came against Pakistan at Visakhapatnam in 2005. India were playing the second of the six-match ODI series against the arch-rivals. After Sachin Tendulkar was out for a paltry score, Dhoni came on to bat alongside Virender Sehwag. The duo put on a partnership which did not last too long as Sehwag and Ganguly were dismissed in quick succession. Dhoni then stitched another partnership with Rahul Dravid and finished with 148 runs off 123 balls. On the back of that splendid knock, India made 356 in 50 overs, in reply to which fell short of 58 runs. The young boy from Ranchi was named Man of the Match.

#4 183 not out against Sri Lanka, 2005

Dhoni scored a 183-ball 145 at a strike rate of 126.20

Sri Lanka were in India for a seven-match ODI series back in 2005, which India were leading 2-0. The third match was to be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, in which Sri Lanka scored 298 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara top scored with the latter scoring a fine century. India were set a total of 299, which was an easy run chase, courtesy Dhoni’s brilliant knock.

He came in at No.3 after Sachin Tendulkar departed. Dhoni was seen slaughtering the Lankan bowlers as he scored a 183-ball 145 at a strike rate of 126.20 including 15 boundaries and 10 maximums. He won India the match with almost four overs to spare. This was Dhoni’s second ODI century after the first one which came against Pakistan that same year. Also, this still remains the highest score by a wicketkeeper batsman in ODI history.

#3 44 not out against Australia, 2012

This still remains one of Dhoni's most calculated innings in a run-chase

This was the fourth match of the Commonwealth Bank series played in 2012. India were set a target of 270 by Australia in Adelaide and the match went down to the wire. In what was a slow paced innings, MS made an unbeaten 44 off 58 which saw only one boundary, a six that came off the final over. Yet, this remains one of his best ODI knocks because it was a very calculated innings played cleverly. Gautam Gambhir anchored India’s innings till 178-4 and then all eyes were on Dhoni, who, despite his slow strike rate, finished the chase with two balls to spare.

India needed 12 off four, when a boundary-less MS hit a huge six over long-on off Clint McKay's bowling. This was a much needed win for India after they lost to Australia in the first match.

While Dhoni has essentially been known as a great finisher, not many talk about how he finished the innings – which was not always by going for the big shots.

#2 An unbeaten 45 against Sri Lanka, 2013

Dhoni hugs Ishant Sharma after an unbelievable final over

India and Sri Lanka were playing the final of the Tri-series which had the hosts West Indies as the third participant. Asking India to field first, Sri Lanka posted 201 runs on the board at the Port of Spain. The equation of the match came down to India needing 15 runs from the last six balls. Captain Dhoni was at the crease with bowler Ishant Sharma at the other end. With nine wickets down, it was only Dhoni who could take India home. 15 runs in the last over looked difficult, but the then best finisher in the world took matters in his hand and made the impossible look possible. Dhoni batted exceptionally well in the last over and India won with two balls to spare. His 52-ball 45 not only won India the match but also the tri-series.

Dhoni has finished several such tense chases for India and it is now up to the young blood in the team to carry on that mantle.

#1 Unbeaten 91 against Sri Lanka, World Cup Final 2011

India v Sri Lanka - 2011 ICC World Cup Final

India were playing Sri Lanka in the finals of ICC World Cup 2011 Finals. Having lost two early wickets in Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, the hosts were in trouble. Gautam Gambhir stitched a partnership of 83 runs with Virat Kohli before the latter was removed by Dilshan. After Kohli’s wicket, Yuvraj Singh was expected to come to bat at No.5, but in came MS Dhoni and the rest is history.

The then Indian captain played a very calculated innings to make sure India did not face any more hiccups. He built a much needed partnership of 109 runs with Gautam Gambhir, in which he hit eight fours and two sixes. The six that he hit over long-on to finish the match and bring home the silverware after a long hiatus of 22 years will be one of Indian cricket’s most memorable moment. Dhoni finished the game remaining unbeaten on 91* off 79 balls and was adjudged the man of the match.