3 underrated performances of MS Dhoni in International Cricket

Overview

• On July 7, 2025, MS Dhoni turned 44 years, and is still an active cricketer for CSK in the IPL
• In his International Career, Dhoni was highly popular for his exceptional captaincy and wicketkeeping against spin
• At times, the former Indian player was underappreciated as a batter

MS Dhoni is one of the greatest cricketers of all time for the package he was. As a batter, he batted mostly in the middle order and finished the games for his side. As a wicketkeeper, he was fine against spin and did reasonably well against pace. However, he is highly popular for his captaincy and the titles he won with India and CSK.

Due to his great reputation as a captain, Dhoni's achievements in batting often get undermined. There are instances where he performed well as a batter, but was not appreciated as much. It could be due to either them not being big scores or his captaincy and wicketkeeping overshadowing them. However, his knocks had an impact on the eventual result of the series/tournament.

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3 underrated performances of MS Dhoni in International Cricket

76*(159) against England, 1st Test of the 2007 series, Lord's, London

It was the first Test of the series between India and England at the Home of Cricket, Lord's. Batting first, the home side posted 298 runs on the board. In reply to it, India managed only 201 runs, as the home side got a lead of 97 runs. In the second innings, England scored 282 runs and gave India a target of 380 to chase.

The visiting side was reduced to 145/5 when Dhoni walked out to bat. India had to chase over 235 runs with 5 wickets in hand. The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 76*(159) when India was at 282/9. That's when rain appeared and ensured an entire session was washed out, leading to a draw. Dhoni's batting with the tail ensured India stayed alive in the match.

139*(97) against ACA Africa XI, 3rd Match in 2007, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

It was the third match of the unique series between ACC Asia XI and ACA Africa XI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Batting first, Asia XI was reduced to 72/5 when Dhoni walked out to bat. The star batter had a terrific partnership of 218 runs for the sixth wicket with Mahela Jayawardene and changed the complexion of the match.

In his stay in the middle, the wicketkeeper batter scored an unbeaten 139 in 97 balls, which included 15 fours and 5 sixes. Asia XI went on to win the match by 13 runs. While not many know about this performance, it was a great performance against an attack featuring Morne Morkel, John Botha, Peter Ongondo, and Elton Chigumbura.

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36(18) against Australia, Semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2007,  Kingsmead, Durban

Many do not appreciate how good this knock was, as Dhoni's captaincy took center stage in the tournament. Walking out to bat when India was 125/3, the Indian skipper scored 36(18) before getting run out. It was against a world-class attack featuring Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, and a handy part-timer in Andrew Symonds.

It helped India to post 188/5 on the board in their 20 overs. Dhoni's knock included 4 fours and a six at a strike rate of 200, which was good for a finisher on a relatively slower surface in Durban. India won the match by 15 runs and entered the final, and eventually went on to win the T20 World Cup 2007 by beating Pakistan in the final.