'Main pal do pal ka shayar hoon…' resonates deeply within our hearts, doesn't it? The world stood witness, four years ago, as a cricketing icon gracefully retreated to the shadows of the game. In the present hour, cricket enthusiasts are holding their breath as the cherished Mahendra Singh Dhoni approaches the twilight of his illustrious IPL career as well.
The legendary maestro has forever kept the cricketing realm enthralled, ever uncertain of his next move. Is IPL 2024 to be his swansong? Shall MSD grace the field in the years that lie ahead? Alas, the answers elude us, but gratitude fills our souls.
Since 2008, Dhoni has graced the field for the Chennai Super Kings over 250 times, while representing the Rising Pune Supergiant as well for a couple of seasons. As captain, he ascended to the zenith of leadership, guiding the Chennai Super Kings to five illustrious titles, the most recent coming last year when Ravindra Jadeja smashed 10 off the last 2 deliveries to lead CSK to their fifth title.
Yet, it is his presence as a dependable lower-order batter that has solidified his place among the pantheon of cricketing legends, showcasing time and again why he is hailed as one of the greatest finishers of the game. Even in IPL 2024, MS Dhoni came into bat during the last phase of CSK's innings and played a few deliveries whenever he got a chance. Those few deliveries were worth gold for MSD fans as Thala enthralled them with some thunderous strikes.
Across 17 IPL seasons, Dhoni scored over 5000 runs—an extraordinary feat for a lower-order maestro. With 24 half-centuries, adorned with over 350 fours and an awe-inspiring tally surpassing 250 sixes, he has made a fan out of almost everyone who follows this game. Following his all-important knock against the Delhi Capitals last year, Dhoni humbly stated, "My job is to hit a few deliveries. Don't make me run a lot."
Even then, in our hearts, we know Dhoni to be synonymous with scorching knocks that have often carried his team across the finish line, even if by the narrowest of margins. This year too, Dhoni has played some match-defining knocks for CSK towards the end of the innings, which gave the Men in Yellow much-needed momentum. Yet, his greatest IPL innings concluded amidst the clutches of defeat. But even then, we will remember MSD for when he was at the crease, anything was possible.
Here's looking back at his best knocks in the history of IPL:
84* vs RCB in 2019
Chennai Super Kings were given a target of 162 by hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore and were reduced to 28/4. In walked MSD, going full throttle on the Bangalore bowlers. He hit an incredible 48-ball 84*, his highest ever in the Indian Premier League, including 24 runs off just 5 deliveries in the final over. But alas, the visitors fell short by just 1 run, and Dhoni remained unbeaten in a game where he gave it all yet lost.
79* vs KXIP in 2018
His second-highest score ever was also in a losing cause versus the then Kings XI Punjab. CSK were chasing 198 and were caught in a struggle at 56/3 when Dhoni took to the crease in the 7th over. There was no looking back for MS then. In just 44 balls, Dhoni had hit 6 fours and 5 sixes to reach 79, including a 16-run penultimate over. But it was not enough, and CSK lost the match by 5 runs.
Not all of Dhoni’s knocks have been in vain.
75* vs RR in 2019
Playing at Chepauk against the Rajasthan Royals, CSK had been asked to bat first. In a surprise move, MS walked in at number 4 when the hosts had been reduced to 22/2 before the powerplay was over. Dhoni led the charge, scoring an unbeaten 75 in 46 balls with 4 fours and as many sixes. In the last 18 balls of the innings, Chennai Super Kings hit the Rajasthan bowlers for 60 runs, most of which were by Dhoni. The hosts managed to put up 175 on the board, winning the match by 8 runs. Dhoni was adjudged Player of the Match, no questions asked.
70* vs RCB in 2018
This knock by Dhoni can perhaps be regarded as one of the best comebacks by a team, also showing why MSD is one of the most reliable batters cricket has ever gotten. Chasing a mammoth 205, Dhoni’s team was reduced to 74/4 at the end of the 9th over. The skipper came in, turning the game around in just 10 overs to take the visitors over the finish line with two balls to spare. Once more, Dhoni remained unbeaten at 70* in half the deliveries
51* vs MI in 2012
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are arguably the two best teams in the history of IPL with 10 titles combined. Facing off in the 2012 eliminator, Chennai had put up a total of 187 for Mumbai to chase. But getting to the defendable 187 was not easy for CSK until Dhoni took the matter into his own hands. Chennai had not crossed the 3-digit mark until the 14th over. That is when the skipper arrived. In the next six overs, Dhoni starred with the bat at an incredible strike rate of 255 and played a valiant knock of 51* in just 20 balls. CSK would eventually win the game by 38 runs.
20* vs MI in 2024
You must be wondering why a 20-run knock is on this list, but this performance by MS Dhoni completely changed the complexion of the game when CSK faced MI this season. CSK were 186/4 after 19.2 overs when MS Dhoni walked in with 4 deliveries left. What followed were three back-to-back sixes against Hardik Pandya at Wankhede stadium followed by a double on the last delivery. CSK crossed the 200-run mark, ending their innings at 206/4. During the chase, Mumbai Indians managed to score 186 runs and lost the game by 20 runs. Those 20 runs scored by MS Dhoni in the last 4 deliveries proved to be the difference at the end.
The majority of the knocks Dhoni has played, he has remained unbeaten, even when he came in to bat higher up the order, a testimony to his reliable game. While MSD's eventual retirement remains shrouded in uncertainty, each passing day brings fans closer to the moment when we'd have to bid him adieu, albeit with a heavy heart.
‘Mujhse pehle kitne shayar aaye aur aakar chalein gaye…Woh bhi ek pal ka kissa the, main bhi ek pal ka kissa hu,’ Mukesh had sung in Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar. But, for cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is more than just a moment in time.