The Indian stalwart agility and reflexes have allowed him to take spectacular catches that have amazed spectators. Whether it’s diving to his left or right or taking catches standing up to the stumps, the World Cup winning skipper has showcased remarkable anticipation and quick reactions.
One area where Dhoni truly excels is in effecting stumpings. The Ranchi-born awareness and inventiveness have often led to dismissals through clever stumping techniques. The former Indian cricketer is known for his quick thinking and accurate glovework, enabling him to dislodge the bails in the blink of an eye. His ability to react swiftly to any deflection or movement has resulted in numerous stumpings throughout his career.
Known as the fastest man behind the stumps, the 42-year-old has produced some masterpieces with his canny mind and quickness. The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion who lifted his latest trophy in the recent finals for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vowed to stay one more year if his body permits.
With such an incredible career that has spanned over decades, the former Indian Captain has pulled off some outstanding pieces that have left fans awestruck by his brilliance. Therefore, let’s have look at the five brilliant pieces of stumpings by Dhoni that have been etched in the memory of fans.
1. MS Dhoni against Keemo Paul in 2018 – 0.08 seconds
Dhoni’s fastest stumping ever came against West Indies in 2018. In the fourth ODI of the series between India and the Windies, the team from the Caribbean already had their backs against the wall in a 377-run chase. And then in the penultimate ball of the 28th over, Dhoni was at his brilliant best by stumping Keemo Paul in just 0.08 seconds. Paul lunged forward while facing a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja only for the ball to turn away from him as Dhoni removed the bails in the blink of an eye to effect the fastest-recorded stumping in cricket history.
2 . MS Dhoni against Mitchell Marsh in 2012 – 0.09 seconds
Australia were batting first and struggling to post a fighting total in the second game of the T20I 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 white leather turned away from him. Dhoni got hold off the ball and did the rest of job with ease; Marsh failed to make his ground. India eventually won the match by eight wickets.
Fastest Stumping Ever
Dhoni
13 YEARS OF DHONISM#13YearsOfDhonism
@riyas8566 @thalabathe @kick_offl @DHONIism @msdfansofficial @MSDhoniNet pic.twitter.com/gz85o98qrT
— Moses Snowin (@Thalamoses) December 23, 2017
3. MS Dhoni against Shubman Gill in 2023 – 0.1 seconds
It was the final of the 2023 IPL where CSK were fighting against Gujarat Titans (GT) in quest to win their fifth title. GT batted first and their openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha were going well. Then, came a moment in the seventh over when Ravindra Jadeja was called into the attack. On his sixth delivery, Gill got deceived and Dhoni behind the stumps merely took 0.1 seconds to collect the ball which he did and knocked the stumps to send the batter back to the pavilion.
This was a huge breakthrough for CSK as Gill was the leading run-scorer in the tournament and his wicket was way more crucial. In the end, GT posted 214 on the board and CSK were tasked to chase down 171 in 15 overs due to rain which they did on the final delivery; hence, won their fifth IPL title.
Lightning fast MSD!️
How about that for a glovework
Big breakthrough for @ChennaiIPL as @imjadeja strikes!
Follow the matchhttps://t.co/WsYLvLrRhp #TATAIPL | #Final | #CSKvGT | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/iaaPHQFNsy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2023
4. MS Dhoni against Tillakaratne Dilshan in 2016- 0.1 seconds
Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling the first over against Sri Lanka. India had already lost the first T20I of the three-match series. India needed to get rid of Tillakaratne Dilshan as soon as they can to put pressure on the Islanders. Ashwin bowled the first ball wide to Danushka Gunathilaka. Sri Lankan openers sneaked a single off the wide ball. Ashwin came round the wicket and bowled a straighter one to Dilshan. The right-hander failed to get the bat on the ball and fumbled a bit in his attempt to work the ball into the gap. Dhoni removed the bails in a flash and got rid of the danger man on the first legal delivery of the innings.
5. MS Dhoni against George Bailey in 2016 – 0.19 seconds
Australia were chasing a target of 297 in the third ODI of India’s tour of Australia 2016. The hosts had already won first two games of the series.
They were 2 for 150 in 26 overs with George Bailey and Shaun Marsh trying to form a partnership between them. In the 27th over of the match, 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 went upstairs and the third umpire after looking at various angles made his decision. The replays showed Dhoni’s sheer agility behind the stumps.
A wicketkeeper pulls back his hands while catching a ball because it due to the impulse force acting on their hands.
But one man fooled science and created history, thats why he is the fastest man behind the stumps
The man,
MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI❤ pic.twitter.com/PV9CUn014k
— Aswathyᶜˢᵏ(@Dhonifan183) June 29, 2021
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