The charisma and grandeur Mahendra Singh Dhoni brings onto the field when he steps out is second to none and his humble and grounded attitude towards the game of cricket is like icing on the cake.

Dhoni has been in the international arena for almost 20 years and the long-haired boy from Ranchi burst onto the scene with a blistering 183* against Sri Lanka chasing a total of 298 in an ODI. That was the start of a legendary career and nobody knew what the world is about to witness in the coming years. Fans had no clue it will be sheer magic from a man donning jersey number 7.<o:p></o:p>

Dhoni earned a name for himself by helping the Indian team cross the line on a consistent basis in tough chases and with the number of matches he played, the last-over-finish and edge-of-the-seat thrillers increased in numbers. Once, Ian Bishop while doing commentary described Dhoni as "Magnificent Mahendra" because he had just witnessed the chase master hit 15 runs in the last over when India was playing against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation Series Final in the Caribbean. <o:p></o:p>MS Dhoni has been no different in the<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPL</a> and here are-

7 instances when MS Dhoni wreaked havoc in IPL<o:p></o:p>

Dhoni, famous for his end-over finishes and last-ball sixes has often played gritty and tough innings where he was the lone warrior when his counterparts failed to contribute considerably with the bat. One such instance came in the 2011 edition of IPL at the Chinnaswamy stadium when CSK took on RCB. Put into bat, CSK was struggling at 22/4 in the last over of the Powerplay when Dhoni walked out into the middle. With his cool head, Dhoni calmed the storm and slowly stitched a partnership with Saha, who later got out for a well fought 22.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni looked cool as a cucumber and took advantage of every loose ball bowled to him by the RCB bowlers but the real party started after the 18th over when he started to change gears. At the beginning of the 19th over, Dhoni was batting at 45 of 31 balls. But with 12 balls left, it was easy to guess that Dhoni was not going to hold back. Dhoni smashed three sixes and a four in the last two overs and got CSK to a respectable total of 128/8.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni batted with a strike rate of 175 where only two batters breached the double-digit mark from the CSK team. With the top order failing and a below par effort from the CSK batting unit, the match was always in favour of the RCB team, but to witness such&nbsp;dominant batting by Dhoni was a blessing in disguise for the CSK fans.

6. CSK vs SRH, 2013 - 15 off final over <o:p></o:p>

MS Dhoni has been praised all his life for his calm and ice-cool nature which he maintains on the field. Even in high-pressure and intense situations, Dhoni has a face with no expressions and knows what he is going to do, no matter what may come. And it has been no different when he has stayed till the end to finish matches for India and his IPL franchise, CSK.

<o:p></o:p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/want-to-put-to-bed-all-these-claims-kevin-pietersen-expresses-his-frustration-on-being-called-ms-dhonis-first-test-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni</a> always believes in taking the match deep and waits for the opposition to make a mistake. This approach by Dhoni has been the reason for some wonderful chases and one of those came against SRH in the 2013 IPL. Chasing a score of 159 on a slow Chennai pitch, the CSK batsmen were in the chase and batted decently to leave 45 runs off the last five overs, courtesy of a brilliant bowling spell from Karn Sharma, who conceded only 8 runs in his share of four overs.<o:p></o:p>

CSK captain, like he always believes, took the game till the end and CSK needed 15 off the last over and that's when SRH surprised everyone by giving Ashish Reddy to bowl the last over (his first of the match) with an over still left for Daren Sammy. Captain Cool, without any pressure, waited for the ball to be bowled in his arc after the first ball was wide. And then Dhoni hit a six, four, and four off consecutive deliveries to win the match for his team with two balls to spare. Dhoni ended with an unbeaten score of 67 of 37 balls and was adjudged the Player of the Match. <o:p></o:p>

Dhoni can be considered an impact player who comes out to bat with few balls left and plays an inning that changes the course of the game. With his timely boundaries and quick running between the wickets, opposition captains and bowlers are left in a pickle to come up with a plan which can neutralize the "Dhoni" effect.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

During the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai, which happened to be the first home game for Chennai in four years, the crowd went absolutely berserk when Dhoni came out to bat in the final over of the first innings and he entertained the fans with his quick cameo of 12 runs. The loud chants of "Dhoni! Dhoni!" even after his year of retirement showed the fan following the CSK captain has.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

The 41-year-old walked out to face Mark Wood who was bowling the final over of the innings for LSG and smashed him for back-to-back sixes in two different areas of the ground. The first six came off a slash from Dhoni and flew over the area between third man and deep point and if that shot wasn't enough to show the charisma this man possessed, the next shot was over the square leg region when he smashed a bouncer for another six. The crowd went absolutely bonkers seeing those shots. Although Dhoni got out the next ball, the innings of 12 runs played by him were the difference between the two sides as it helped CSK win against LSG with a margin of exactly the same runs. <o:p></o:p>

2022 wasn't a great year for CSK as a franchise and Jadeja was given the responsibility to lead the team with Dhoni playing as a regular player. Although the team didn't do too well in the league and between all the fallout between Jadeja and the CSK management, there was a special heist by Dhoni in the 33rd match.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/he-is-a-terrific-reader-of-the-game-sunil-gavaskar-showered-praise-on-krunal-pandya-after-lsgs-narrow-victory-against-mi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai Indians</a>, who were looking for their first win of the season took on CSK at the DY Patil stadium and posted a total of 155/7. Coming into bat, CSK were here and there and at the end were left with the task of hitting 17 runs in the final over. The EL Clasico of IPL was in for a tense finish and many wouldn't have given a chance to a retired player to win the match for his team. But one can't really write off Dhoni like that.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

Jaydev Unadkat was handed the responsibility to defend 17 from the final over and he began the over on a positive note by getting Dwaine Pretorius LBW and conceding only a single of the next ball. But the match wasn't won yet and Dhoni was on strike with 16 needed off 4 balls and that's when he pulled off an absolute legend-level heist. He went 6,4,2,4 to seal the deal for CSK and stunned the MI side who were in shock to see what had unfolded in front of them. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>3. CSK vs KXIP, 2010 - Chased 16 off the last over

CSK has been a consistent team who has played the most number of playoffs in IPL history. The Dhoni-led side has won four IPL titles and has delivered on the big stage when required. But things weren't always easy for them and one such instance was in the 2010 edition of the IPL which witnessed one of the greatest finishes in IPL and it was none other than Dhoni who made it happen.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

CSK was taking on KXIP (now PBKS) in the picturesque stadium of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-stats-mania/pbks-vs-dc-ipl-2023-records-stats-at-himachal-pradesh-cricket-association-stadium-dharamsala/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dharamsala </a>and the CSK side were chasing a stiff target of 193 and didn't really get a great start from their openers. However, Suresh Raina and S Badrinath stitched a wonderful partnership and got CSK back in the game again. Both put on a partnership of 62 runs until Raina lost his wicket after scoring a well-made 46.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

Walking into bat, Dhoni took charge from the word go and started his innings with four toward long-on. The match got tighter when Badrinath got out in the 17th over and CSK were left with 44 runs in the final three overs. 15 and 13 runs of the 18th and 19th over, respectively set the stage for a last-over finish and CSK required 16 to win from 6 balls when Dhoni was up against Irfan Pathan. Dhoni started the over with a boundary and double and then hit two consecutive sixes to take CSK home and a rather emotional Dhoni was seen punching his jaw and having a loud roar after finishing the game for CSK.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>2. CSK vs RCB, 2018 - 70* off 34

In 2018 CSK was making a comeback into the IPL after a two-year suspension and it was a rather emotional moment for CSK. It all started with MS Dhoni’s speech in the pre-season camp when Dhoni got emotional talking about the team’s comeback and that, one can say, set the tone for the events which were to unfold in the coming months of IPL. Dhoni was part of the Rising Pune Supergiants team for the 2016 and 2017 IPL and in the year 2017.<o:p></o:p>

But Dhoni likes to write his own script and making a comeback in the year 2018 would have been seen as a year of redemption for Dhoni. And during that year, one such inspired innings came against RCB at the Chinnaswamy stadium. CSK were chasing a total of 206 and Dhoni came in at no. 6 with the team requiring 132 of 66 balls and the spectators were in for a blistering innings<o:p></o:p>

Dhoni was aggressive from the beginning and was striking at around 130-140, which was better than his previous seasons' strike rate. With 30 runs needed off the last two overs, Siraj was handed the penultimate over of the innings and he gave only given 3 runs off the first four balls, but the game changer was the six from Dhoni where he sliced a low full toss over point, leaving Siraj clueless, shattering his confidence. The momentum had shifted and CSK needed 16 off the final over and it was again Dhoni who pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat by smashing a six over wide long-on. The innings of 70* of 34 balls was a game changer where he struck at a rate above 200 and took his team home. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>1. RPS vs KXIP, 2016 - Chased 21 off the last over

After being suspended for two years by the governing council, CSK and RR players were drafted into the Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants team and Dhoni was made the skipper of the Pune team. The team didn't perform too well in the league and was overshadowed by injuries to key players, leaving Dhoni with fewer options to play with.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

But the circumstances and position at the points table didn't stop Dhoni from performing a terrific act. The score line and the runs required of the last over would have suggested that the defending team would easily win the match. But as the commentators say, it's the bowler who is under pressure in the final over when he is up against Mahendra Singh Dhoni and this was no different.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

Chasing a total of 173, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/it-was-ms-dhonis-last-home-game-at-chepauk-so-i-decided-to-create-special-memory-sunil-gavaskar-on-taking-csk-skippers-autograph-in-chennai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni's</a> team required 21 runs from the final over and Axar Patel from KXIP was given the ball to defend the score. Even with such a huge mountain to climb to win the match, Dhoni remained calm and composed and there was not an ounce of pressure on his face. Axar started with a dot ball and then a wide and then it was all over the place. Dhoni started the show with a six and then a boundary over cover, leaving 10 of two balls. And that's when the unthinkable happened, Dhoni smashed the next two balls for six with the last six giving a glimpse of good old Dhoni's helicopter shot. That strong bottom-handed shot over midwicket sealed the deal for RPS and Dhoni was seen casually walking off after doing the unthinkable.<o:p></o:p>

The charisma and grandeur Mahendra Singh Dhoni brings onto the field when he steps out is second to none and his humble and grounded attitude towards the game of cricket is like icing on the cake.
Dhoni has been in the international arena for almost 20 years and the long-haired boy from Ranchi burst onto the scene with a blistering 183* against Sri Lanka chasing a total of 298 in an ODI. That was the start of a legendary career and nobody knew what the world is about to witness in the coming years. Fans had no clue it will be sheer magic from a man donning jersey number 7.<o:p></o:p>
Dhoni earned a name for himself by helping the Indian team cross the line on a consistent basis in tough chases and with the number of matches he played, the last-over-finish and edge-of-the-seat thrillers increased in numbers. Once, Ian Bishop while doing commentary described Dhoni as "Magnificent Mahendra" because he had just witnessed the chase master hit 15 runs in the last over when India was playing against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation Series Final in the Caribbean. <o:p></o:p>MS Dhoni has been no different in the<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPL</a> and here are-
<h3 class="MsoNormal">7 instances when MS Dhoni wreaked havoc in IPL<o:p></o:p></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">7. CSK vs RCB, 2011 - 70* of 40 balls</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144168669_MS-Dhoni.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
Dhoni, famous for his end-over finishes and last-ball sixes has often played gritty and tough innings where he was the lone warrior when his counterparts failed to contribute considerably with the bat. One such instance came in the 2011 edition of IPL at the Chinnaswamy stadium when CSK took on RCB. Put into bat, CSK was struggling at 22/4 in the last over of the Powerplay when Dhoni walked out into the middle. With his cool head, Dhoni calmed the storm and slowly stitched a partnership with Saha, who later got out for a well fought 22.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni looked cool as a cucumber and took advantage of every loose ball bowled to him by the RCB bowlers but the real party started after the 18th over when he started to change gears. At the beginning of the 19th over, Dhoni was batting at 45 of 31 balls. But with 12 balls left, it was easy to guess that Dhoni was not going to hold back. Dhoni smashed three sixes and a four in the last two overs and got CSK to a respectable total of 128/8.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni batted with a strike rate of 175 where only two batters breached the double-digit mark from the CSK team. With the top order failing and a below par effort from the CSK batting unit, the match was always in favour of the RCB team, but to witness such&nbsp;dominant batting by Dhoni was a blessing in disguise for the CSK fans.
<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">6. CSK vs SRH, 2013 - 15 off final over <o:p></o:p></h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144306650_MS-Dhoni-vs-Sunrisers-Hyderabad.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
MS Dhoni has been praised all his life for his calm and ice-cool nature which he maintains on the field. Even in high-pressure and intense situations, Dhoni has a face with no expressions and knows what he is going to do, no matter what may come. And it has been no different when he has stayed till the end to finish matches for India and his IPL franchise, CSK. 
<o:p></o:p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/want-to-put-to-bed-all-these-claims-kevin-pietersen-expresses-his-frustration-on-being-called-ms-dhonis-first-test-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni</a> always believes in taking the match deep and waits for the opposition to make a mistake. This approach by Dhoni has been the reason for some wonderful chases and one of those came against SRH in the 2013 IPL. Chasing a score of 159 on a slow Chennai pitch, the CSK batsmen were in the chase and batted decently to leave 45 runs off the last five overs, courtesy of a brilliant bowling spell from Karn Sharma, who conceded only 8 runs in his share of four overs.<o:p></o:p>
CSK captain, like he always believes, took the game till the end and CSK needed 15 off the last over and that's when SRH surprised everyone by giving Ashish Reddy to bowl the last over (his first of the match) with an over still left for Daren Sammy. Captain Cool, without any pressure, waited for the ball to be bowled in his arc after the first ball was wide. And then Dhoni hit a six, four, and four off consecutive deliveries to win the match for his team with two balls to spare. Dhoni ended with an unbeaten score of 67 of 37 balls and was adjudged the Player of the Match. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">5. CSK vs LSG, 2023 - 12 off 3 balls</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144380069_MS-Dhoni-vs-LSG.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
Dhoni can be considered an impact player who comes out to bat with few balls left and plays an inning that changes the course of the game. With his timely boundaries and quick running between the wickets, opposition captains and bowlers are left in a pickle to come up with a plan which can neutralize the "Dhoni" effect.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
During the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai, which happened to be the first home game for Chennai in four years, the crowd went absolutely berserk when Dhoni came out to bat in the final over of the first innings and he entertained the fans with his quick cameo of 12 runs. The loud chants of "Dhoni! Dhoni!" even after his year of retirement showed the fan following the CSK captain has.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
The 41-year-old walked out to face Mark Wood who was bowling the final over of the innings for LSG and smashed him for back-to-back sixes in two different areas of the ground. The first six came off a slash from Dhoni and flew over the area between third man and deep point and if that shot wasn't enough to show the charisma this man possessed, the next shot was over the square leg region when he smashed a bouncer for another six. The crowd went absolutely bonkers seeing those shots. Although Dhoni got out the next ball, the innings of 12 runs played by him were the difference between the two sides as it helped CSK win against LSG with a margin of exactly the same runs. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">4. CSK vs MI, 2022- 17 off 6 balls</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144427493_MS-Dhoni-vs-MI.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
2022 wasn't a great year for CSK as a franchise and Jadeja was given the responsibility to lead the team with Dhoni playing as a regular player. Although the team didn't do too well in the league and between all the fallout between Jadeja and the CSK management, there was a special heist by Dhoni in the 33rd match.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/he-is-a-terrific-reader-of-the-game-sunil-gavaskar-showered-praise-on-krunal-pandya-after-lsgs-narrow-victory-against-mi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai Indians</a>, who were looking for their first win of the season took on CSK at the DY Patil stadium and posted a total of 155/7. Coming into bat, CSK were here and there and at the end were left with the task of hitting 17 runs in the final over. The EL Clasico of IPL was in for a tense finish and many wouldn't have given a chance to a retired player to win the match for his team. But one can't really write off Dhoni like that.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Jaydev Unadkat was handed the responsibility to defend 17 from the final over and he began the over on a positive note by getting Dwaine Pretorius LBW and conceding only a single of the next ball. But the match wasn't won yet and Dhoni was on strike with 16 needed off 4 balls and that's when he pulled off an absolute legend-level heist. He went 6,4,2,4 to seal the deal for CSK and stunned the MI side who were in shock to see what had unfolded in front of them. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>3. CSK vs KXIP, 2010 - Chased 16 off the last over</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144499052_MS-Dhoni-vs-PBKS.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
CSK has been a consistent team who has played the most number of playoffs in IPL history. The Dhoni-led side has won four IPL titles and has delivered on the big stage when required. But things weren't always easy for them and one such instance was in the 2010 edition of the IPL which witnessed one of the greatest finishes in IPL and it was none other than Dhoni who made it happen.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
CSK was taking on KXIP (now PBKS) in the picturesque stadium of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-stats-mania/pbks-vs-dc-ipl-2023-records-stats-at-himachal-pradesh-cricket-association-stadium-dharamsala/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dharamsala </a>and the CSK side were chasing a stiff target of 193 and didn't really get a great start from their openers. However, Suresh Raina and S Badrinath stitched a wonderful partnership and got CSK back in the game again. Both put on a partnership of 62 runs until Raina lost his wicket after scoring a well-made 46.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Walking into bat, Dhoni took charge from the word go and started his innings with four toward long-on. The match got tighter when Badrinath got out in the 17th over and CSK were left with 44 runs in the final three overs. 15 and 13 runs of the 18th and 19th over, respectively set the stage for a last-over finish and CSK required 16 to win from 6 balls when Dhoni was up against Irfan Pathan. Dhoni started the over with a boundary and double and then hit two consecutive sixes to take CSK home and a rather emotional Dhoni was seen punching his jaw and having a loud roar after finishing the game for CSK.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>2. CSK vs RCB, 2018 - 70* off 34</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144540343_MSD-vs-RCB.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
In 2018 CSK was making a comeback into the IPL after a two-year suspension and it was a rather emotional moment for CSK. It all started with MS Dhoni’s speech in the pre-season camp when Dhoni got emotional talking about the team’s comeback and that, one can say, set the tone for the events which were to unfold in the coming months of IPL. Dhoni was part of the Rising Pune Supergiants team for the 2016 and 2017 IPL and in the year 2017.<o:p></o:p>
But Dhoni likes to write his own script and making a comeback in the year 2018 would have been seen as a year of redemption for Dhoni. And during that year, one such inspired innings came against RCB at the Chinnaswamy stadium. CSK were chasing a total of 206 and Dhoni came in at no. 6 with the team requiring 132 of 66 balls and the spectators were in for a blistering innings<o:p></o:p>
Dhoni was aggressive from the beginning and was striking at around 130-140, which was better than his previous seasons' strike rate. With 30 runs needed off the last two overs, Siraj was handed the penultimate over of the innings and he gave only given 3 runs off the first four balls, but the game changer was the six from Dhoni where he sliced a low full toss over point, leaving Siraj clueless, shattering his confidence. The momentum had shifted and CSK needed 16 off the final over and it was again Dhoni who pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat by smashing a six over wide long-on. The innings of 70* of 34 balls was a game changer where he struck at a rate above 200 and took his team home. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>1. RPS vs KXIP, 2016 - Chased 21 off the last over</h3>
<amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144595424_MSD-vs-KXIP-2017.jpeg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
After being suspended for two years by the governing council, CSK and RR players were drafted into the Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants team and Dhoni was made the skipper of the Pune team. The team didn't perform too well in the league and was overshadowed by injuries to key players, leaving Dhoni with fewer options to play with.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
But the circumstances and position at the points table didn't stop Dhoni from performing a terrific act. The score line and the runs required of the last over would have suggested that the defending team would easily win the match. But as the commentators say, it's the bowler who is under pressure in the final over when he is up against Mahendra Singh Dhoni and this was no different.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Chasing a total of 173, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/it-was-ms-dhonis-last-home-game-at-chepauk-so-i-decided-to-create-special-memory-sunil-gavaskar-on-taking-csk-skippers-autograph-in-chennai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni's</a> team required 21 runs from the final over and Axar Patel from KXIP was given the ball to defend the score. Even with such a huge mountain to climb to win the match, Dhoni remained calm and composed and there was not an ounce of pressure on his face. Axar started with a dot ball and then a wide and then it was all over the place. Dhoni started the show with a six and then a boundary over cover, leaving 10 of two balls. And that's when the unthinkable happened, Dhoni smashed the next two balls for six with the last six giving a glimpse of good old Dhoni's helicopter shot. That strong bottom-handed shot over midwicket sealed the deal for RPS and Dhoni was seen casually walking off after doing the unthinkable.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

The charisma and grandeur Mahendra Singh Dhoni brings onto the field when he steps out is second to none and his humble and grounded attitude towards the game of cricket is like icing on the cake.
Dhoni has been in the international arena for almost 20 years and the long-haired boy from Ranchi burst onto the scene with a blistering 183* against Sri Lanka chasing a total of 298 in an ODI. That was the start of a legendary career and nobody knew what the world is about to witness in the coming years. Fans had no clue it will be sheer magic from a man donning jersey number 7.<o:p></o:p>
Dhoni earned a name for himself by helping the Indian team cross the line on a consistent basis in tough chases and with the number of matches he played, the last-over-finish and edge-of-the-seat thrillers increased in numbers. Once, Ian Bishop while doing commentary described Dhoni as "Magnificent Mahendra" because he had just witnessed the chase master hit 15 runs in the last over when India was playing against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Nation Series Final in the Caribbean. <o:p></o:p>MS Dhoni has been no different in the<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPL</a> and here are-
<h3 class="MsoNormal">7 instances when MS Dhoni wreaked havoc in IPL<o:p></o:p></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">7. CSK vs RCB, 2011 - 70* of 40 balls</h3>
<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144168669_MS-Dhoni.jpeg" alt="" width="640" loading="lazy">
Dhoni, famous for his end-over finishes and last-ball sixes has often played gritty and tough innings where he was the lone warrior when his counterparts failed to contribute considerably with the bat. One such instance came in the 2011 edition of IPL at the Chinnaswamy stadium when CSK took on RCB. Put into bat, CSK was struggling at 22/4 in the last over of the Powerplay when Dhoni walked out into the middle. With his cool head, Dhoni calmed the storm and slowly stitched a partnership with Saha, who later got out for a well fought 22.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni looked cool as a cucumber and took advantage of every loose ball bowled to him by the RCB bowlers but the real party started after the 18th over when he started to change gears. At the beginning of the 19th over, Dhoni was batting at 45 of 31 balls. But with 12 balls left, it was easy to guess that Dhoni was not going to hold back. Dhoni smashed three sixes and a four in the last two overs and got CSK to a respectable total of 128/8.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Dhoni batted with a strike rate of 175 where only two batters breached the double-digit mark from the CSK team. With the top order failing and a below par effort from the CSK batting unit, the match was always in favour of the RCB team, but to witness such&nbsp;dominant batting by Dhoni was a blessing in disguise for the CSK fans.
<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">6. CSK vs SRH, 2013 - 15 off final over <o:p></o:p></h3>
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MS Dhoni has been praised all his life for his calm and ice-cool nature which he maintains on the field. Even in high-pressure and intense situations, Dhoni has a face with no expressions and knows what he is going to do, no matter what may come. And it has been no different when he has stayed till the end to finish matches for India and his IPL franchise, CSK. 
<o:p></o:p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/want-to-put-to-bed-all-these-claims-kevin-pietersen-expresses-his-frustration-on-being-called-ms-dhonis-first-test-wicket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni</a> always believes in taking the match deep and waits for the opposition to make a mistake. This approach by Dhoni has been the reason for some wonderful chases and one of those came against SRH in the 2013 IPL. Chasing a score of 159 on a slow Chennai pitch, the CSK batsmen were in the chase and batted decently to leave 45 runs off the last five overs, courtesy of a brilliant bowling spell from Karn Sharma, who conceded only 8 runs in his share of four overs.<o:p></o:p>
CSK captain, like he always believes, took the game till the end and CSK needed 15 off the last over and that's when SRH surprised everyone by giving Ashish Reddy to bowl the last over (his first of the match) with an over still left for Daren Sammy. Captain Cool, without any pressure, waited for the ball to be bowled in his arc after the first ball was wide. And then Dhoni hit a six, four, and four off consecutive deliveries to win the match for his team with two balls to spare. Dhoni ended with an unbeaten score of 67 of 37 balls and was adjudged the Player of the Match. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">5. CSK vs LSG, 2023 - 12 off 3 balls</h3>
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Dhoni can be considered an impact player who comes out to bat with few balls left and plays an inning that changes the course of the game. With his timely boundaries and quick running between the wickets, opposition captains and bowlers are left in a pickle to come up with a plan which can neutralize the "Dhoni" effect.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
During the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai, which happened to be the first home game for Chennai in four years, the crowd went absolutely berserk when Dhoni came out to bat in the final over of the first innings and he entertained the fans with his quick cameo of 12 runs. The loud chants of "Dhoni! Dhoni!" even after his year of retirement showed the fan following the CSK captain has.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
The 41-year-old walked out to face Mark Wood who was bowling the final over of the innings for LSG and smashed him for back-to-back sixes in two different areas of the ground. The first six came off a slash from Dhoni and flew over the area between third man and deep point and if that shot wasn't enough to show the charisma this man possessed, the next shot was over the square leg region when he smashed a bouncer for another six. The crowd went absolutely bonkers seeing those shots. Although Dhoni got out the next ball, the innings of 12 runs played by him were the difference between the two sides as it helped CSK win against LSG with a margin of exactly the same runs. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">4. CSK vs MI, 2022- 17 off 6 balls</h3>
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2022 wasn't a great year for CSK as a franchise and Jadeja was given the responsibility to lead the team with Dhoni playing as a regular player. Although the team didn't do too well in the league and between all the fallout between Jadeja and the CSK management, there was a special heist by Dhoni in the 33rd match.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/he-is-a-terrific-reader-of-the-game-sunil-gavaskar-showered-praise-on-krunal-pandya-after-lsgs-narrow-victory-against-mi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mumbai Indians</a>, who were looking for their first win of the season took on CSK at the DY Patil stadium and posted a total of 155/7. Coming into bat, CSK were here and there and at the end were left with the task of hitting 17 runs in the final over. The EL Clasico of IPL was in for a tense finish and many wouldn't have given a chance to a retired player to win the match for his team. But one can't really write off Dhoni like that.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Jaydev Unadkat was handed the responsibility to defend 17 from the final over and he began the over on a positive note by getting Dwaine Pretorius LBW and conceding only a single of the next ball. But the match wasn't won yet and Dhoni was on strike with 16 needed off 4 balls and that's when he pulled off an absolute legend-level heist. He went 6,4,2,4 to seal the deal for CSK and stunned the MI side who were in shock to see what had unfolded in front of them. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>3. CSK vs KXIP, 2010 - Chased 16 off the last over</h3>
<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1684144499052_MS-Dhoni-vs-PBKS.jpeg" alt="" width="640" loading="lazy">
CSK has been a consistent team who has played the most number of playoffs in IPL history. The Dhoni-led side has won four IPL titles and has delivered on the big stage when required. But things weren't always easy for them and one such instance was in the 2010 edition of the IPL which witnessed one of the greatest finishes in IPL and it was none other than Dhoni who made it happen.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
CSK was taking on KXIP (now PBKS) in the picturesque stadium of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-stats-mania/pbks-vs-dc-ipl-2023-records-stats-at-himachal-pradesh-cricket-association-stadium-dharamsala/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dharamsala </a>and the CSK side were chasing a stiff target of 193 and didn't really get a great start from their openers. However, Suresh Raina and S Badrinath stitched a wonderful partnership and got CSK back in the game again. Both put on a partnership of 62 runs until Raina lost his wicket after scoring a well-made 46.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Walking into bat, Dhoni took charge from the word go and started his innings with four toward long-on. The match got tighter when Badrinath got out in the 17th over and CSK were left with 44 runs in the final three overs. 15 and 13 runs of the 18th and 19th over, respectively set the stage for a last-over finish and CSK required 16 to win from 6 balls when Dhoni was up against Irfan Pathan. Dhoni started the over with a boundary and double and then hit two consecutive sixes to take CSK home and a rather emotional Dhoni was seen punching his jaw and having a loud roar after finishing the game for CSK.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>2. CSK vs RCB, 2018 - 70* off 34</h3>
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In 2018 CSK was making a comeback into the IPL after a two-year suspension and it was a rather emotional moment for CSK. It all started with MS Dhoni’s speech in the pre-season camp when Dhoni got emotional talking about the team’s comeback and that, one can say, set the tone for the events which were to unfold in the coming months of IPL. Dhoni was part of the Rising Pune Supergiants team for the 2016 and 2017 IPL and in the year 2017.<o:p></o:p>
But Dhoni likes to write his own script and making a comeback in the year 2018 would have been seen as a year of redemption for Dhoni. And during that year, one such inspired innings came against RCB at the Chinnaswamy stadium. CSK were chasing a total of 206 and Dhoni came in at no. 6 with the team requiring 132 of 66 balls and the spectators were in for a blistering innings<o:p></o:p>
Dhoni was aggressive from the beginning and was striking at around 130-140, which was better than his previous seasons' strike rate. With 30 runs needed off the last two overs, Siraj was handed the penultimate over of the innings and he gave only given 3 runs off the first four balls, but the game changer was the six from Dhoni where he sliced a low full toss over point, leaving Siraj clueless, shattering his confidence. The momentum had shifted and CSK needed 16 off the final over and it was again Dhoni who pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat by smashing a six over wide long-on. The innings of 70* of 34 balls was a game changer where he struck at a rate above 200 and took his team home. <o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>1. RPS vs KXIP, 2016 - Chased 21 off the last over</h3>
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After being suspended for two years by the governing council, CSK and RR players were drafted into the Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants team and Dhoni was made the skipper of the Pune team. The team didn't perform too well in the league and was overshadowed by injuries to key players, leaving Dhoni with fewer options to play with.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
But the circumstances and position at the points table didn't stop Dhoni from performing a terrific act. The score line and the runs required of the last over would have suggested that the defending team would easily win the match. But as the commentators say, it's the bowler who is under pressure in the final over when he is up against Mahendra Singh Dhoni and this was no different.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Chasing a total of 173, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-press-release/it-was-ms-dhonis-last-home-game-at-chepauk-so-i-decided-to-create-special-memory-sunil-gavaskar-on-taking-csk-skippers-autograph-in-chennai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dhoni's</a> team required 21 runs from the final over and Axar Patel from KXIP was given the ball to defend the score. Even with such a huge mountain to climb to win the match, Dhoni remained calm and composed and there was not an ounce of pressure on his face. Axar started with a dot ball and then a wide and then it was all over the place. Dhoni started the show with a six and then a boundary over cover, leaving 10 of two balls. And that's when the unthinkable happened, Dhoni smashed the next two balls for six with the last six giving a glimpse of good old Dhoni's helicopter shot. That strong bottom-handed shot over midwicket sealed the deal for RPS and Dhoni was seen casually walking off after doing the unthinkable.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

The charisma and grandeur Mahendra Singh Dhoni brings onto the field when he steps out is second to none and his humble and grounded attitude towards the game of cricket is like icing on the cake.Dhon

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been known for setting the stage on fire during crunch moments of the game.

IPL: 7 Instances when MS Dhoni did unthinkable in tournament's history

The charisma and grandeur Mahendra Singh Dhoni brings onto the field when he steps out is second to none.