Published: Jul 07, 2016, 08:53 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 08, 2016, 10:46 PM (IST)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been one of the most remarkable wicketkeepers of all-time. Apart from him street-smart captaincy, the Indian skipper he is arguably the best wicketkeepers India has ever had. Dhoni has shown his mettle behind the stumps as well, taking the bails off in a flash even if the batsman steps out of the crease for a centimeter. It has often been said that if MS Dhoni is celebrating after a stumping chance, there is hardly any need for the Third Umpire to have a look at it. Dhoni can be easily compared to DC Comics’ superhero-‘The Flash’ for his lightening fast speed behind the stumps which have turned the match in India’s favour at multiple occasions. On Dhoni’s 35th birthday, let us have a look at his top ten stumpings. ALSO READ: Why MS Dhoni is the quickest wicketkeeper in the modern era
Dinesh Chandimal: Sri Lanka were chasing 197 in the second T20I earlier this year. Sri Lanka were struggling at four for 68 in 12th over having lost the wicket of Chamar Kapugedara on the second ball of the over from Ravindra Jadeja. Left-armer Jadeja came round the wicket and bowled his stock delivery around off stump line which whizzed past Chandimal’s bat. He was lured into the drive and went further with the shot, taking his back leg outside the crease. Dhoni saw the opportunity and got rid of the bails in a jiffy removing Chandimal.
Tillakaratne Dilshan: This stumping is from the same match as the above. Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling the first over of Sri Lanka’s innings. India had already lost the first T20I of the three-match T20 series. India needed to get rid of Dilshan as soon as they can to put pressure on Sri Lanka straightaway. Ashwin bowled the first ball wide to Danushka Gunathilaka. Sri Lankan openers sneaked a single off the wide ball. Dilshan came on strike, Ashwin came round the wicket and bowled a straight one. Dilshan failed to get bat on ball and fumbled a bit trying to work the ball into the gap. Dhoni removed the bails instantly and got rid of the danger man on the first legal delivery of the innings.
George Bailey: Australia were chasing a target of 297 earlier this year in the third ODI of India’s tour of Australia. Australia had already won first two games of the ODI series. They were 2 for 150 in 26 overs with Bailey and Shaun Marsh trying to form a partnership between them. Ravindra Jadeja bowled the first delivery outside off stump beating Bailey. Dhoni made no mistake and took off the bails leaving Bailey perplexed. The square-leg Umpire referred it to Third Umpire who gave the decision straightaway. The replay showed Dhoni’s sheer agility behind the stumps.
Glenn Maxwell: Australia were cruising towards the target in the second T20I of the T20 series in Australia. They were 2 for 110 in 12th over chasing 185. Yuvraj was introduced into the attack which was another great move from the skipper Dhoni. Maxwell stepped out of the crease as the ball went past his bat. He had no chance as Dhoni once again worked his magic behind the stumps getting India back into the match. India eventually won the second T20 by 27 runs.
Dinesh Chandimal: This one is termed as the fastest stumping in the history of World Cricket. Ashwin bowled a wide delivery which Chandimal could not get his bat on and eventually lost his balance. MS Dhoni took care of the bails with Chandimal left with no choice but to walk back to the pavilion.
Mitchell Marsh: Australia were batting first and struggling to post a fighting total in the second T20 of the T20 series at Sydney during India’s tour of Australia 2012. Mitchell Marsh tried to work the ball into the gaps but missed it completely as the ball turned away from him. Dhoni got hold the ball and did the rest of job with ease as Mitchell Marsh failed to make his ground. India won the match by eight wickets.
Ravi Bopara: England were chasing 235 in 2011 at Oval. They needed 27 runs off 56 balls to win the match when Ashwin turned the ball more than usual. The ball missed the bat, pads, stumps and went into Dhoni’s hands. Boapara fumbled a bit to which Dhoni reacted and took the bails off bringing India back into the game.
David Hussey: This one is from warm-up game between India and Australia before ICC World Cup 2011. Australia were chasing a modest total of 214. Australia needed 79 runs from 131 balls with six wickets in hand. Hussey came into bat after Cameron White got out off the first ball of Piyush Chawla’s over. Hussey was lured into the drive which made him go forward and eventually going inches out the crease. Dhoni was as usual quick behind the wickets as he removed the bails in one quick motion. That over turned out to be the turning point of the game as Australia lost by 38 runs.
Ricky Ponting: This was the fourth ODI of the seven-match series between India and Australia. India managed to score 291 batting first at Chandigarh. Australia were off to a flyer and were 122 for the loss of one wicket in 19th over. Irfan Pathan was continuing, he bowled the second ball of his over which went away from Ponting. Dhoni was standing near the stumps. That stumping was one of the best stumping of Dhoni as it came off a faster bowler. India registered their first win in the tournament winning by 8 runs.
Ricky Ponting: Another addition to MS Dhoni’s one of the quickest stumpings from the warm-up game against Australia before ICC World Cup 2011. Ponting was anchoring the innings as wickets kept falling from other end. Australia needed 57 runs from 93 balls and Ponting decided to take matter into his own hands and went for a wild slog against off spinner Harbhajan Singh. He completely missed the ball going down on his knees. The ball went straight into Dhoni’s glove and he did his bit in a flash as Ponting’s back leg was on the line. That wicket turned the game into India’s favour completely as they lost their seventh wicket.
MS Dhoni turns 35 today and seeing his fitness no one can say that he is not fit to play for the next two or three years. If he retires any sooner it is highly unlikely that India will find someone anywhere near his ability behind the stumps.
(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a daydreamer, movie buff, and cricket fanatic. He could not play cricket, so did the next best thing, writing for it. He loves to play the flick shot over square leg, and believes Sachin Tendulkar is God. His Twitter handle is @ArunRawal93)
