Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also known as MS Dhoni, is a cricket legend famous for his leadership, smart cricket strategies, and knack for finishing matches. Even though he isn't known for scoring tons of runs, Dhoni's impact on the game goes beyond personal achievements.
Dhoni served as the captain of the Indian cricket team for almost 15 years. He represented both Jharkhand and Bihar in domestic cricket before playing on the international stage. Currently, he leads the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Fans, experts, and critics have showered Dhoni with praise throughout his impressive career, which includes 90 Test matches, 350 One-Day Internationals, and 98 T20 Internationals for India. One of his famous titles is 'The Finisher.' It highlights his excellent batting skills during crucial moments in matches.
In his international career, Dhoni scored 17,092 runs in 535 matches, with an average of 44.74. This includes 108 half-centuries and 15 centuries. He's the fifth-highest run-scorer for India in all formats. Overall, Dhoni has achieved 16 centuries in international cricket, with 10 in ODIs and six in Test matches.
MS Dhoni Centuries in ODI
Dhoni made his debut in One Day International (ODI) cricket in December 2004 during the first match against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Despite a shaky start with some low scores, he bounced back impressively. He scored 148 runs against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam for his first ODI century. Six months later, he surpassed himself. He scored a career-best 183 not out against Sri Lanka, hitting 15 boundaries and 10 sixes at a fast pace.
During the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup in India, Dhoni played for the ACC Asia XI. He made an unbeaten 139 against the ACA Africa XI in Chennai. Teaming up with Mahela Jayawardene, he contributed to a significant 218-run partnership. Such a feat set a commanding total of 331 in the first inning.
Dhoni's innings of 124 not out against Australia in the second ODI in Nagpur were crucial. It helped India reach 354/7. The result? India won by 99 runs, leveling the series.
During the 2009-2010 tri-nation series involving India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, Dhoni played a crucial innings of 101 not out in a 296-run chase. He partnered with Virat Kohli in a 154-run stand, rescuing the team from a precarious situation.
In December 2012, Dhoni faced Pakistan in Chennai. The battling cramps were in challenging heat. He played a solid innings of 113 not out in 125 balls. He guided India to a good total of 227, although it wasn't enough for a win.
After stepping down as captain in early January, Dhoni focused on his role as a wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman under Virat Kohli's leadership. In the second ODI against England in Cuttack, with India facing early challenges losing three quick wickets, Dhoni (134) and Yuvraj (150) rescued the team with a partnership of 256 runs. This effort helped India post a strong total of 381 in the first innings, securing a 15-run victory.
MS Dhoni Centuries in Tests
Dhoni surprised his fans when he announced his retirement from Test cricket after the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and India in December 2014. Dhoni stepped down with a total of 4876 runs in 90 Tests, with an average of 38.09, including 33 fifties and six centuries.
Back in the 2006 tour of Pakistan, Dhoni didn't get a chance to bat in the first Test in Lahore. However, he played aggressively in the second Test in Faisalabad.
He hit 19 fours and four sixes to score his first Test century in just 93 balls. Dhoni established a record as the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to score a century in Test cricket. He held onto it for 16 years until Rishabh Pant broke it with an 89-ball century against England in July 2022.
During Sri Lanka's tour of India in 2009-10, Dhoni had an outstanding performance. He scored a total of 214 runs in three innings with an average of 107. He also managed to score two centuries in the three-match series. He scored 110 in Ahmedabad and an unbeaten 100 in Mumbai. These feats contributed to India's 2-0 series win.
During the second Test in Kolkata, Dhoni managed to score 132. It helped India achieve the rare feat of recording four centuries in a single innings for the second time in their history.
On February 24, 2013, Dhoni impressed everyone by hitting 24 boundaries and six sixes. That's the time he achieved his first Test double-hundred (224) in the first Test of the four-match series against Australia in Chennai.
While Dhoni hasn't reached a century in the Twenty20 format, he has managed to get nine centuries in first-class cricket and 17 in the List A format.
Key Takeaway
MS Dhoni's influence on Indian cricket is immeasurable. His cricketing legacy goes beyond centuries. Dhoni's legacy emphasizes his leadership, exceptional finishing skills, and enduring influence on the sport. MS Dhoni centuries, both in ODIs and Tests, serve as milestones in the remarkable journey of one of cricket's greatest icons. And it left an unforgettable legacy for the game.
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