Top 5 Test performances of MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni Test Career Batting

Matches 90 | Runs 4876 | Average 38.09 | Strike Rate 59.12 | 50s 33 | 100s 6 | Highest Score 224

Often regarded as a white-ball legend, MS Dhoni's exploits as a wicket-keeper batsman in Test cricket, batting in the lower middle-order, while captaining the side are just as legendary, yet somehow understated.

With an overall Test average of 38 batting predominantly at number 7 over a long period of 90 matches, MS Dhoni is the third highest run scorer as a wicket-keeper batsman in Test cricket (behind Adam Gilchrist and Mark Boucher) along with being the 4th highest individual scorer in an innings by a wicket-keeper batsman (224 vs Australia in Chennai).

His numerous invaluable knocks in different conditions and dire circumstances, many of which have been match and series changing runs, qualify Dhoni as a great Test cricketer.

Dhoni also captained most of these matches, resulting in some of the best performances of India in South Africa against the strongest ever Proteas side in 2010 and 2013 where they drew 1-1 and narrowly lost 0-1, series wins in New Zealand and West Indies along with a drawn series in Sri Lanka against possibly their strongest outfit.

MS Dhoni's absense as a leader, batsman and keeper in all formats being felt

It is also worth mentioning that very few cricketers have mastered the trio of batting, keeping and captaincy especially in the sub-continent where keeping to the spinners is considered as tough an art as any. Dhoni managed to successfully achieve the same for almost 7 years.

Also see – PSL 2020 points table

Here, we look at 5 of Dhoni's best knocks showcasing mastery of the different conditions and situations that should be remembered as he dives into the sunset of his illustrious international career.

#Note: All statistics are as of February 28, 2020. Views are that of the author and not Sportskeeda's.

#1 224 vs Australia, Chennai 2013

MS Dhoni's highest test score helped India beat the }mighty Australia

Australia began by winning a crucial toss and amassing 380. With the pitch slowly but surely becoming harder to bat on and a first innings lead being of utmost importance, India were reduced to a precarious 198-4 with the ball spinning sharply.

On the back of a home series defeat to England, with immense pressure on the captain, MS Dhoni produced an innings for the ages, scoring 224 of the best Test runs of his career. He ran the Aussies ragged in the process while battling the situation, pitch and the heat. While his partnership with Kohli helped India recover, it was the one with Bhuvaneshwar Kumar that landed the final nail in the coffin for Australia in the match and as it turned out the series.

Sharing a 140-run partnership with Kumar, the skipper scored over 100 of them with incredible running and strike farming while manipulating the field with mastery. This was the 4th highest score ever by a wicket-keeper batsman in Tests and a match-winning knock that knocked the stuffing out of the Australian team for the rest of the series as India went on to win 4-0, thus regaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy and reasserting their home dominance.

#2 71 vs England, Manchester 2014

A disconsolate MS Dhoni who waved a lone battle in England, 2014

With the series at one game apiece, India batted first on a gloomy English morning against possibly the best swing bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad and were reduced to a dismal 8 for 4 in 5 overs when captain Dhoni walked in. With high possibility of getting bowled out for less than 50 in near impossible batting conditions, MSD taking body blows showing impeccable leaving and defensive skills mixed with timely boundaries making a masterful 71. This is easily one of the greatest Test innings considering factors like the pitch, overhead conditions, attack and team score upon his entry.

Following this 71 he made 82 in the 5th Test with similar conditions once again, where Anderson and Broad were swinging and seaming the ball a mile and the celebrated Indian top order blown away. Dhoni arrived at 28-4, which became 90-9, as he produced another improbable masterclass in Test batting in unplayable English conditions to restore some pride for India.

#3 148 vs Pakistan, Faisalabad 2006

MS Dhoni's maiden Test century vs arch rivals Pakistan

India and Pakistan entered the second test at Faisalabad with the series tied 0-0. Pakistan seized the early advantage batting first and piled on a mammoth 588 in their first innings. India in reply in their first innings started strong only to be reduced to 281-5 and a further 307 in the arrears.

With the Pakistan crowd going berserk and the Pakistan attack sensing blood, a follow-on was on the cards. Then MS Dhoni compiled a masterful 148 under extreme pressure of an Indo-Pak encounter silencing the massive crowd and took a dangerously placed India to a score of 600 that ensured the match was safe and victory out of Pakistan's reach.

Being a first timer in Pakistan and new to the grind of Test cricket, Dhoni showed terrific calm and composure along with technique and temperament in thwarting world-class bowlers such as Shoaib Akthar, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria in trying circumstances and brought the cricketing world to notice his talent.

#4 76* vs England, Lords 2007

Dhoni produces a match-saving unbeaten 76 in England

In the first Test to the tour of England, India were set a steep 380 to win in 100 overs, and were reduced to 140-5 with 50+ overs still remaining on the fifth day. With defeat and a 0-1 series deficit almost inevitable, MS Dhoni stroked a terrific unbeaten 76 against a ruthless English attack lead by James Anderson while shepherding the tail as India salvaged an unlikely draw from the jaws of defeat that would have almost certainly ended hopes of a series win.

The innings came on Dhoni's first tour to England when he was still relatively new to Test cricket. He established what later would become his trademark as one of the coolest heads across the country under pressure.

Thanks to an all time great 4th innings rearguard action from MSD, India went to the final 2 tests at 0-0 and eventually ended up with a resounding and a rare series win 1-0 in England after 20+ years and for only the 3rd time in history.

#5 90 vs South Africa, Centurion 2010

MS Dhoni was an epitome of solidity in technique during India's tour of SA

India's tour of South Africa was a battle between the top 2 test teams with South Africa boasting of possibly their best ever Test team. The first test saw them post 620-4 after India were bundled out for a disastrous 136 and hence India were in an impossible battle to avoid an innings defeat. Trailing by almost 500, India were reduced to 277-6 with defeat seeming minutes away. That is when MSD arrived and produced a breathtaking 90 of 106 balls with strokes of pristine quality against the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel on a helpful Centurion pitch.

Although India would go on to lose that match, the second innings display where Dhoni's 90 helped India make 450 in the second innings provided the much needed morale booster as India went on to win a dramatic second Test on a seaming and green Durban wicket to even the series at one apiece. Dhoni made critical contributions of 35 in a first innings team score of 205 and another crucial 21 in the second innings score of 228 that in a low scoring tight match is as valuable, if not more, than a 200 on a flat track.

India went on to draw the series 1-1 in South Africa and little is talked about the 90 in the first Test or the total of 56 in the second test that were nothing short of some of the most important test runs on away soil by an Indian.