India is set to take on Australia a few days for the first time after Dhoni has formally announced his retirement.

MS Dhoni was the last time player they visited Australia and has played some crucial knocks in Australia.

Though he has not played for India after the world cup semi-final, this is India’s first game after he is officially retired.

Let us now look at some of his contributions in Australia with the bat.

57, Sydney test 2012

Leading a side in Australia with aging stars and inexperienced youngsters is possibly one of Dhoni’s most significant challenges during his career.

His test efforts are often not rated as high as his one-day ones, while his technique comes into question more often than not in test cricket.

After a defeat in the first test and a whitewash in England earlier, India’s season got worse with each game.

They came into the second test with five overseas test defeats in a row.

In the Sydney test, Dhoni walked in to bat at five down, 69 runs on the board.

The batting didn’t perform again as nobody showed any resistance.

Dhoni made 57 runs batting with the tail and was unbeaten as the last three batsmen got out without scoring.

Critics have continuously questioned his ability to bat overseas, but he was the only one to hang around and provide some resistance in the Sydney test.

His innings was the only show of fight in a dreadful inning as the Indians were bowled out for 191.

It was one of those Dhoni memorable innings where he bats along with the tail in the hope of getting a respectable score on the board.

They lost the test by an innings and 68 runs and lost the series 4-0.

55, second ODI, Adelaide 2019.

Dhoni did not hit a single half-century in 2018, and doubts over his ability were higher than ever.

A 96 ball 51 did not help Dhoni get away from the critics as he had been called for batting too slow.

Chasing 298, Virat Kohli had the chase in balance when Dhoni walked into the middle.

The situation was set for him to bring out his finishing abilities.

Batting with Kohli, the two started with a lot of running and kept rotating the strike.

A common feature of the Dhoni-Kohli partnership is the running between wickets, and it was no different on this day.

Virat was dismissed after his century, and Karthik walked in to bat.

With Karthik on the other side, Dhoni continued to run a lot as Karthik eased the pressure with boundaries.

The game was going deeper and deeper in Dhoni fashion, and as seen over the years, Dhoni managed to clear the ropes in the final over to win India the game.

He made 55 runs but only hit two sixes and no fours.

87, Third ODI, 2019, Melbourne,

Following a hard-run fifty, the series moved into its final game with the scores level.

After a vintage chase in Adelaide, Dhoni replicated his efforts in Melbourne.

Set a target of 231, Dhoni walked in during the 17th over with two wickets down.

With a low target and extended boundaries, Dhoni went up to support and make use of the ground size with quick running between the wickets.

He built a partnership with Virat Kohli, but Virat Kohli was later dismissed with 120 still to get.

The task seemed harsh as the Indian middle-order hasn’t been the strongest.

Jadhav joined Dhoni as the two combined to take the game deep.

They kept their wickets and built an excellent partnership as Jadhav attacked the bowling well.

The two batsmen were the last to panic as the chase was completed in the previous over with seven wickets to spare.

Dhoni made 87 runs and was man-of-the-match for his effort.

He made his third half-century of the series and was given the man-of-the-series award.

The award is a crucial one for the wicket-keeper to rest the questions on Dhoni’s age and ability to play for the national side.

50 vs. Sri Lanka, Commonwealth Bank Series, 2008:

Chasing 239 in a big tour for him as captain, MS Dhoni walked in at number six with India in a tight spot.

He formed partnerships with Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan and took the side closer to the target.

He finished with a fifty but didn’t score a single boundary throughout his innings.

He ran hard and ensured he finished with a respectable strike-rate despite not hitting a single boundary.

44 vs. Australia, Commonwealth Bank Series, 2012.

In an extended tour of Australia, India managed a single T20 win up until the Adelaide game.

They were going through a tough time and faced Australia in their third match of the tri-series.

They won and lost their first two games.
The batting looked shaky throughout the series, and they were set a target of 270 to chase.

The openers got off to a good start for a change but lost wickets in clusters during the middle.

Gambhir held the innings together with his 92, while Raina hit thirty-eight runs at a quick pace.

Dhoni, on the other hand, started slow and nudged the ball around for most of his innings.

He didn’t show any sign of aggression while Raina and Jadeja went big and out around him.

He took the game into the last over thirteen needed of Clint Mckay.

Despite his skills, the task was challenging, as the boundaries were significant, and a good bowler was bowling.

With doubts raised on Dhoni’s ability to finish the game, he hit the third ball for a massive six over long-on.

The ball traveled 112 meters and reduced the equation to six off three.

A waist-high no-ball for a double took it to three of three, which was finished with ease.

It was an exciting innings as Dhoni waited till the end and faced criticism during his innings.

His 44 is an innings that stands out in his career while defining his ability as a finisher.