Dharamsala Dhamaaka: On This Day, MS Dhoni Punched His Helmet After Taking CSK To The Knockouts In IPL 2010 [WATCH]

No Chennai Super Kings fan will ever forget the date, April 18 2010. On this day, former Indian captain MS Dhoni played one of the greatest knocks in IPL history (54* off 29). Dhoni took CSK to the knockouts in IPL 2010, which they went on to win. This was probably one of the best innings played by MS Dhoni in his early phase of IPL. In the must-win clash against Kumar Sangakkara-led Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), the former CSK captain played a captain's knock and slammed 54 runs off 29 balls to take his side over the line. Dhoni's unbeaten knock in Dharamsala led CSK to memorable knockouts. With 16 required off the last over, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter took just four deliveries to wrap up the chase as he hit star all-rounder Irfan Pathan for two massive sixes.

Dharamsala Dhamaaka: MS Dhoni punched his helmet after taking CSK to the knockouts

On this day, former Indian captain MS Dhoni played one of the greatest knocks in IPL history (54* off 29). Dhoni took CSK to the knockouts in IPL 2010, which they went on to win. Chennai entered their last league game in a must-win situation. Put into bat, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) posted a mammoth total of 192/3, with Shaun Marsh smashing CSK bowlers all around the park with a 57-ball 88*.

In reply, the Super Kings were reduced to 27/2. But then, vice-captain Suresh Raina and local hero Subramaniam Badrinath put on a partnership of 62 runs for the third wicket to bring CSK back into the game. When Chinna Thala Raina departed, Thala Dhoni entered with the 'Men in Yellow' still needing 104 runs off 10.2 overs. Dhoni scored a boundary off the very first ball he faced, making his intentions clear to Punjab.

the inception of CSK’s glory 💉💉💉💉pic.twitter.com/VC2FnD1Io0

— . (@Vineeth_777) April 18, 2024

CSK's reliable middle-order batter Badrinath at the other end was playing some gorgeous shots, and the Dhoni-Badrinath duo was making things challenging for the Kings XI Punjab. When Badrinath walked back to the pavilion, CSK still needed 45 runs off 20 deliveries, with Albie Morkel coming in. The equation came down to 29 runs required off the final two overs and eventually 16 off the last over. The famous last over that is now a part of IPL folklore.

The first ball of the over, bowled by Irfan Pathan, was crunched through the covers by Dhoni for a boundary. Dhoni collected 2 runs off the next ball, as CSK needed 10 runs from 4 balls. Irfan Pathan then bowled a juicy length delivery, and Dhoni launched the ball into the roof of the Dharamsala stadium. Now, with four needed off three balls. Dhoni smashed the ball up in the night sky towards his favourite long-on region. Thala finished with a majestic 29-ball 54* to take the team to the knockouts. Dhoni was pumped up and punched his helmet as the Chennai players rushed into the ground.