Ms Dhoni has backed for years to help the Chennai Super Kings win the Lucknow Super Giants five wickets in the Indian Premier League and end the five-match loss.
Dhoni, who played in the 18th IPL season at the age of 43, needed 56 runs from the final five overs to pursue a 167.
The CSK innings were severely stagnant, but the former Indian skipper finished 26 instead of 11 as the victory was secured on three balls.
Despite his side playing at Lucknow, Dhoni smacked four of them and cheered loudly, smacking six with an astonishing one hand on the side of his legs.
He took on a leading role in an undefeated partnership with 57 Shivam Dube.
The veteran was dropped at 20 with 20 covers, but at that stage he only needed 12 more runs from 10 balls, causing him to shake up momentum.
“It was easy from my side when he went in and started destroying the bowlers,” said Dube, who finished 43.
Dhoni’s abilities have been sometimes suspected of CSK coach Stephen Fleming during the tournament, saying he can no longer hit the ball in the 10th overs because “his knee wasn’t like that before.”
After being injured by skipper Ruthuraj Gaiquad, Dhoni was restored as captain last week, but he took charge of the franchise and led him to five titles.
The CSK bowlers have done well previously to limit Lucknow’s strong batting lineup to 166-7 despite 63 of 49 Rishabh Pants.
Despite the victory, CSK remains at the bottom of the table with two wins from seven matches. Lucknow is fourth in the third consecutive win.
