In the Indian Premier League, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a household name. He has been an essential part of Chennai Super Kings’ success throughout the years. CSK has won three IPL titles under the leadership of the renowned batsman. Dhoni is well recognized for his outstanding batting abilities and on-field intellect. He is one of the top finishers in the cricketing profession. CSK has been one of the most victorious franchises in the IPL under his guidance.
1) In 2010, he scored 54 points against Kings XI Punjab
This was perhaps one of MS Dhoni’s greatest innings in the IPL’s early stages. In a must-win match against Kumar Sangakkara’s Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), the CSK captain played a captain’s knock, slamming 54 runs off only 29 balls to help his team over the finish line. In Dharamshala, Dhoni’s unbeaten innings helped CSK to a historic victory. In 2010, he scored 54 points against Kings XI Punjab. With 16 required off the penultimate over, the great wicketkeeper-batsman wrapped off the chase in only four deliveries, hitting Irfan Pathan for two massive sixes.
2) In 2011, 70 faced Royal Challengers Bangalore
Dhoni has come to his side’s rescue every time the Yellow Army has stumbled in the cash-rich competition. Mahi has waged lone battles for CSK on multiple occasions in the IPL’s history, and a similar event happened in 2011. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chennai Super Kings faced Royal Challengers Bangalore, headed by Virat Kohli. Expectations were high for Dhoni’s squad, as usual, but the CSK batters buckled under duress. Dhoni stepped out to bat when the three-time winners were down at 22/4 and somehow managed to right the ship for his team. During his 40-ball 70-run knock, he hammered three boundaries and six sixes. However, Dhoni’s exertion was in vain as Kohli’s attempt was successful.
3) In 2013, the 51s faced the Mumbai Indians
In the cash-rich league, the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are famed for their rivalry. The two teams have played in some of the most exciting matches in the IPL. CSK bowlers held Rohit Sharma’s team to a meager 148 in the fifth match of the IPL 2013. The Chennai Super Kings’ batting line-up, on the other hand, once again fell short of expectations. They only lost five wickets for 66 runs. Dhoni was the one who maintained his team in the game until the very final over. Before losing his wicket to Munaf Patel, the 39-year-old had smashed 51 runs off 26 balls. CSK was eventually defeated by the Mumbai-based team, who won the game by 9 runs.
4) In 2018, he scored 70* against Royal Challengers Bangalore
Dhoni, the former India captain, had a number of match-winning innings for CSK, but his 70-run performance against RCB at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2018 stands out. Chennai was 74 for 4 at one point while chasing a mammoth 206-run mark. Dhoni, on the other hand, had different ideas, as he cleaned up the RCB bowlers. ‘Thala’ scored 70 runs off 34 balls, including seven sixes and a single boundary, to go undefeated. Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu also put up a 101-run stand to help CSK win by five wickets.
5) In 2019, 75* versus Rajasthan Royals
CSK’s batting meltdown continued in the 12th match of the IPL 2019. However, Dhoni’s brilliance this time turned the tables for the ‘Super Kings,’ as they went on to win the game.
At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK openers Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson were bowled early while batting first against the Rajasthan Royals.
In the powerplay overs, the home team had scored just 27 for the loss of three wickets when MS Dhoni stepped out to bat. Under pressure, Mahi, on the other hand, played a brilliant knock. On a slow pitch, he scored 75 not out off 46 balls.
In the 20th over, the Ranchi-born batsman smashed a hat-trick of sixes against RR’s most expensive spinner, Jaydev Unadkat.