Legendary wicket keeper batsman MS Dhoni needs no introduction. The former Indian player is one of the most iconic players who represented India in international cricket. In the limited overs, Dhoni was one of the finest batsman the game has ever seen. Having retired in 2020, the ex Indian captain is now seen only in IPL.
Captaining his side Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni took his team to second position in the league. Then, COVID intervened and the IPL had to be postponed. According to latest reports, the remaining part of the IPL will be held in the month of September in UAE. Hence, fans will have a chance to watch MS Dhoni in action again on the cricket field.
Dhoni made his debut in December 2004. Just a little more than an year after his debut, the strongly built young Dhoni went to Pakistan with the Indian team in 2006. It was his maiden tour of the neighboring nation. India had to play 5 ODIs and 3 test matches. The first two test matches were played on the flattest of wickets on this tour. Both teams scored runs at will as the bowlers were pinned into submission.
In the second test played at Faisalabad, Pakistan batted first and smacked 588 runs. It was a tough grind for Indian bowlers as they were mostly ineffective on a dead wicket. In reply to the huge score, the tourists slipped to 281-5 in the wake of some terrific Pakistani bowling.
A sign of things to come by Dhoni!
MS Dhoni was joined by Irfan Pathan at the crease with India in trouble. Together, they were just starting to settle when Pakistan leg spinner came up with an unsavoury idea. Danish Kaneria bowled a leg break to Dhoni as he came down the track and defended it with a straight bat. In order to break the concentration of the batsman, Kaneria picked the ball up and fired a flat throw at strikers end.
Despite knowing that Dhoni is safe, he purposefully threw the ball back at stumps that almost hit Dhoni. It was done just to intimidate the batsman. Moreover, Kaneria then stared at the batsman who ignored the provocation and got ready to bat again.
The revenge moment happened on the following delivery as it was a flighted delivery. Hence, Dhoni came down the track and thrashed it over long on for a humungous six. It was a brilliant counter attack by Dhoni as well as a great revenge moment as he got level with Kaneria.
Later on, Dhoni managed to hit his first test 100 with a score of 148 runs. He took just 153 balls for it and whacked 19 fours and 4 sixes. Both he and Irfan Patham’s 90 helped India to pip Pakistan’s 588 as the Indian team got a lead of 15 runs. However, the match ended in draw as in the second innings again Pakistan scored 490 runs on a flat wicket.
With his counter attacking 148 runs, Dhoni had well and truly announced himself in test cricket too. This temperament of Dhoni to score runs under pressure became the hallmark of the maverick batsman over the next 14 years.
Watch the video of the moment here :
