Top 5 MS Dhoni knocks against Pakistan in ODIs

#1 113*(125) at Chennai, 2012

Dhoni singlehandedly salvaged India's respect against a fired-up Pakistani attack

In the recent era, the 2012/13 season remains the lowest point for Indian cricket. Having been battered in a couple of gruelling tours, they slumped to a 1-2 defeat at home in the Test series against England. With the hosts in all sorts of gloom, Pakistan could not have visited at a better time for 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

After scraping to a 1-1 draw in the shortest format, India locked horns with their arch-rivals for the opening ODI at Chennai. A rampaging spell from Junaid Khan left them reeling at 29/5. With critics calling for his head prior to the game, Dhoni played an extremely gallant knock under immense pressure.

Forced into a position from which he could not launch any counterattack, Dhoni played the situation cleverly and attempted to build partnerships with the lower-order. With only Suresh Raina and then Ravichandran Ashwin for company, the skipper singlehandedly dragged his team to a fighting total of 227.

Even though Pakistan went on to achieve a comfortable six-wicket victory, Dhoni's unbeaten century managed to salvage India's respect. Much maligned for his team's frailties, he led from the front and offered hope amidst dire circumstances.