New Delhi: One of the world’s best finishers in the game of cricket, Indian ODI Skipper MS Dhoni answered his critics in style with a first-rate performance during the recent ‘Cricket for Heroes’ charity match at The Kia Oval in London. He was declared ‘Man of the Match’.

Dhoni, who has been training with the Indian Army’s Elite Para Brigade post the conclusion of the ODI series against Bangladesh in June, was back at his best with this first limited overgame after the break. The wicketkeeper-batsman hit 38* of 22 balls and the winning runs for Andrew Strauss’s Help for Heroes XI that beat Brandon McCullum’sRest of the World X1 by four wickets in the last over with three balls to spare.

Batting first, ROW XI set a respectable target of 158 for six from their 20 overs, with MahelaJayawardene striking 48 from 28 balls after Matthew Hayden set a platform with 34 from 33 before being stumped by Dhoni.

Chasing 159, Heroes XI rode high on the strong stand of Andrew Strauss and Virender Sehwag, who scored 63 runs in the power-play but lost a couple of wickets and found themselves needing 82 in the final 10 overs. MS Dhoni stepped up and alongside Major Storm Green of the British Army, reduced the asking rate and propelled their side to victory.

Out of the £300,000 raised during this match, the Help for Heroes Foundation has contributed £20000 towards MS Dhoni’s Charitable Foundation. This amount will be eventually handed over to the Indian Army in support of the wounded and severely injured soldiers in the line of duty in our country.

Following this inaugural fundraiser match at The Oval in London, The MS Dhoni Charitable Foundation has also partnered with The Help for Heroes foundation to replicate a series of similar charity matches in India over the coming years in order to raise more funds towards the support of the Indian Army soldiers.

On his return to India after the match, Dhoni said, “The match was an excellent platform to support such a worthy cause. I feel honored to have been a part of it and look forward to supporting many more like these in the near future. The match also served as a good practice for the upcoming ODI series with South Africa.”