Wasim Jaffer, Deep Dasgupta pick their favourite MS Dhoni knocks

MS Dhoni has been the finest leader for the Indian team with victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record number of 11 playoff appearances including four title victories. With IPL 2022 coming to an end, former Indian cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Deep Dasgupta picked their favourite knocks of the former Indian captain.

Jaffer chose Dhoni’s knocks of 183* and 148 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively, which came in 2005. He said that Dhoni proved his ability with these knocks and commanded respect in the dressing room. Jaffer next picked Dhoni’s whirlwind knock of 54* off 29 balls, which came against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2010 and helped the team seal the playoffs spot before securing their first title victory.

“It’s very difficult to pick out a few from many great knocks. But, initially, he played the knocks of 183 against Sri Lanka and 148 against Pakistan. During this time, no one knew Dhoni’s abilities, especially the Pakistan bowlers. With these two knocks, he proved his talent in international cricket. Then the third one will be the IPL game in 2010, where he scored 50 odd runs against Kings XI and helped CSK to qualify for playoffs, and went on to win the trophy,” said Jaffer on Sky247.net presents ‘Not Just Cricket’ Show on CricTracker.

Deep Dasgupta recalls his first impression of MS Dhoni

Dasgupta recalled his first impression of MS Dhoni in a domestic game between East Zone and Central Zone in 2003. He reckoned that Central Zone had posted a score of 350, which was certainly an out-of-reach score, but Dhoni came at no. 3 for East Zone and contributed around 80 to help the team in chasing the target in 35 overs.

“Of course the 2011 World Cup knock is iconic, but I remember the time when I saw MS for the first time during the match between Central Zone and East Zone in Paradip. The Central Zone had scored around 350, which was a tough score to chase down in 2003. Dhoni batted at no. 3 and scored 80 odd and the team chased down the score in a matter of 35 overs. Then I thought he is certainly something different,” said Dasgupta.