Top 5 "unlucky" moments of MS Dhoni

139 not out against Australia, Mohali, 2013

MS Dhoni v Australia: An epic destroyed by one bad over!

Another Dhoni classic that went in vain. Though, the situation wasn’t as bad as 29/5, India were in more than a spot of bother at 76/4. The Australian bowlers were on top and the Indian batting looked hassled by their continuous short ball strategy. Mitchell Johnson had a spring in his stride and Clint McKay looked dangerous as well.

With Virat Kohli in company, MS Dhoni got into the rebuilding job. He pushed the ball into the gaps and played second fiddle while the Delhi batsmen dominated the Australian spinners and the part-timers. After a 72-run partnership, Kohli fell to a loose shot and Mitch Johnson returned to rattle Ravindra Jadeja‘s ribs to pin India down again.

With India sliding to 154/6, Dhoni decided to up the tempo. What followed was an absolute carnage. India were at 202/6 at the beginning of the 41st over. Dhoni smashed 79 runs in the next 34 deliveries that contained eight fours and five massive hits over the fence.

He added 76 runs in 11 overs with Ashwin, 37 in 5 overs with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and 32 in just 2 overs with Vinay Kumar. India ended up with a score of 303/9 – a total that looked way beyond their grasp at the end of the 12th over.

However, unlike the Pakistan game, India were in complete control of the Australian chase until the 48th over when Dhoni handed the ball to Ishant Sharma. James Faulkner smashed 30 runs of the over and brought Australia back into the game and then went on to win the game for the Kangaroos.

Was it the right call to hand Ishant Sharma, who has been struggling since the first game, such an important over? It worked in the Champions Trophy but at Mohali, it went horribly wrong.