Recalling Mahendra Singh Dhoni's best Test knocks

Mumbai: India captain MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket "with immediate effect" after the third Test against Australia at the MCG.

Let’s recall his memorable innings in Tests

Match-saver (76 not out against England, Lord’s, 2007)

One of the best finishers in ODI cricket, soon became a match-saver. He was a newbie, but held his nerve along with veteran VVS Laxman to rescue India from the jaws of defeat. While wickets kept tumbling on the other end, the man faced 159 balls and stayed till the very end, the scoreboard read 282 for the loss of nine wickets. The match ended in a draw.

Result: Match drawn

Local hero in Chennai (224 against Australia, Chepauk, 2013)

Being the captain of the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, he came out in the middle with the whole stadium chanting his name and he did not disappoint. He smashed a double hundred, highest score ever by an Indian captain in Tests. The innings had 24 boundaries and six sixes.

Result: India won by eight wickets

Rescue act with Kohli (99 against England, Nagpur, 2012)

India were trailing 2-1 at home. England put up 330 in first innings, the hosts needed to score enough runs to win and level the series but they lost four wickets for 71. Then, Dhoni stitched a 198-run partnership with Virat Kohli  and saved the match. He was run out for 99.

Result: Match drawn

Steady middle-order knock (57 against Pakistan, New Delhi, 2007)

When it is an India-Pakistan match in Delhi, the pressure mounts for there is also support for the visitors, considering Lahore being close from the capital. In such a situation, Pakistan put up 231 in their first innings and left India reeling at 93 for the loss of five wickets before Dhoni, again with Laxman, added 115 runs. He scored 57 and helped India build a lead of 45 runs.

Result: India won by six wickets