5 instances when MS Dhoni proved himself the best finisher

There have been instances where teams were on the doorsteps of victory, only to lose at the last moment because no one could provide that lustrous finish to the game. The world cricket then saw the emergence of one of the finest finishers during the invincible era of Australian cricket in the 2000s, Michael Bevan. He was undoubtedly the best finisher then. But the Indian cricket was then bestowed with MS Dhoni, who surmounted Bevan to ascend the throne as the best finisher of all time. MS was inarguably the best in the business and we bring to you the 5 instances where MS won hearts of the cricket world.

5. 45 vs Sri Lanka, Port Of Spain,2013

In reply to Sri Lanka’s 201, India were once struggling at 139/4 when MS stepped out to bat. To add to India’s troubles, wickets kept tumbling at the other end as India were reduced to 187/9 after 49 overs. With 15 needed off the last over, victory was not a feasible option to think about. But MS had his own plans. Shaminda Eranga was handed to bowl the final 6 balls of the final of the tri-series. Having started the final over with a dot, it was Sri Lanka’s game to lose. MS then turned the tables after a 6,4 and a 6 in three consecutive deliveries.

4.72 vs Pakistan, Lahore,2006

It has been ages since the arch rivals played a bilateral series in Pakistan. This was a special performance from the long haired Mahi as he led India to one of the finest victories on Pakistan soil. With 289 to chase, India were 5 down and required 99 off the last 15 overs. A well poised innings (79 from 87) from Yuvraj Singh and a scintillating 72 off 46 from MS Dhoni saw India taking a 2-1 lead in 5 match series.

3. 64 vs Kings Eleven Punjab, IPL 2016.

Probably this was the finest last over finishes in the history of IPL as the RPSG skipper pulled off a masterpiece to lead RPSG to a victory, RPSG had a dreadful season and this match appeared to deliver some similar results until MS defied the beliefs. With 23 required in the last 6 balls, what MS did was no less than a fanciful movie. Reducing the final equation to 6 off 1, the pune skipper smashed one to finish the match in his trademark style. MS struck 3 sixes and a four to ruin Axar Patel’s bowling figures.

2. 61 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2017.

No matter what the situation depicts,the game is yet not over when MS is still on those 22 yards. MS provides apt justice to his stature as the best finisher once again as he steals the victory from the vault of SRH. With 47 required off last three overs, it was SRH’s game to lose from here as the most successful seamer of the season ,Bhuvi, was yet to bowl his final over. But hardly that mattered to the Ranchi boy as he snatched 17 runs from Siraj’s over and 19 from Bhuvneshwar’s. Requiring 11 from the final over, Manoj Tiwary aided MS’s efforts with a six off the first ball. It was MS who brought the chase to completion with the four off the last delivery. MS accelerated his score from 26(23) to 61(34) in this epic run chase.

1 . 91 vs Sri Lanka, World Cup Final,2011

Without even the faintest of doubt, this was the innings of life for the former Indian skipper. In a big stage of the world cup final,in reply to the target of 276, India lost Sehwag in the very first over and Sachin in the next few overs. India were struggling at 114/3, when MS promoted himself above Yuvraj Singh who had been in an excellent form throughout the tournament. This was probably the decision that ended India’s drought of World Cup after 28 years. Dhoni’s 91* from 79 along with Gautam Gambhir’s ?mature 97(122) erupted Wankhede into the tears of joy. After Gambhir’s dismissal, MS took command of the chase and ended the match in a typical Mahi way by hitting a six off Kulasekara.