The T20s are a format for specialists. Every person has been given a defiant role and they have to act in accordance with said role. Likewise, the role of a finisher is to do as much damage as possible at the death. That being said, what better example of a finisher can be given other than India’s very own MS Dhoni. Despite a bountiful of runs in ODIs and Tests, Dhoni has kept himself on the back seat during T20Is, taking the finisher’s role. It’s simple math, you don’t face as many balls by batting at number 6 as what you face while opening the innings. As a result, the Ranchi-born’s innings have been brief yet impactful. Nonetheless, MS Dhoni has a couple of splendid T20I knocks up his sleeve. The following article provides a detailed list of all MS Dhoni half-centuries in T20I.
56 vs England, Bangalore, 2017
![MS Dhoni 56 vs England](https://thesportslite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MS_Dhoni-300x169.jpg)
After a decade-long run in T20Is as a finisher, MS Dhoni was finally able to score a half-century in the rubber match against England in 2017. After KL Rahul’s dismissal, Dhoni marched down to bat at number 4 and turned back the clock with his scintillating shots. During his stay at the crease, the then 35-year-old batsman found the fence four times and cleared it twice. He surpassed his previous best score of 48 not out, which he had scored against Australia in 2012. Forging important partnerships of 55 with Raina and 57 with Yuvraj, MS helped boost India’s total past the 200-run mark. As a result of his heroics with the bat, India was able to fend off the Englishmen in a comprehensive manner by 75 runs.
Also Read: List of all MS Dhoni centuries in ODIs
52* vs South Africa, Centurian, 2018
![MS Dhoni 52 vs SA](https://thesportslite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ms-dhoni-bcci_806x605_41519237790-300x225.webp)
Mahi’s second T20I half-century came at the hands of the Proteas in the 2nd T20 Match at Centurian. Walking to bat at number 6, Dhoni held his ground and stopped India from losing its way mid-way through the innings. He took the game till the very end and remained not-out, forming an unbeaten 98-run stand with stalwart Manish Pandey. The destruction caused by Dhoni’s innings of 52 (28) can be estimated by the fact that it was the fastest fifty by an Indian against South Africa. During his stay at the crease, MS found the fence four times and cleared it thrice. It wasn’t without his heroics at the death that India was able to post 188/4 in their 20 overs.
However, this wasn’t enough to stop the South Africans as they chased down the target with relative ease. Skipper JP Duminy (64*) and Heinrich Klaasen (69) guided the Proteas to an impressive 6 wicket win as they leveled the 5-match series one-all.
Also Read: List of all records held by MS Dhoni in T20 Internationals
List Of All MS Dhoni Half-Centuries In T20I
Date | Opposition | Venue | Fours | Sixes | Runs |
1-Feb-2017 | England | Bangalore | 4 | 2 | 56 |
21-Feb-2018 | South Africa | Centurian | 4 | 3 | 52* |