Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni is celebrating his 43rd birthday on 7th July 2024. The keeper-batter, who led India to three ICC trophies, is regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of the game. However, his captaincy brilliance is an addition to his batting prowess.
Dhoni has played over 500 international matches, with the bulk of them coming in the ODI format (350 matches). Batting in the middle and lower middle order, the right-hander has scored 10,773 runs in this format. He has an average of 50.58, a strike rate of 87.56, 10 centuries and 73 fifties. On Dhoni’s special day, let’s take a look at his top three batting performances in ODIs.
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Here are MS Dhoni’s top three batting performances in ODI
3. 148(123) vs Pakistan, Visakhapatnam, 2005
Dhoni’s 148 off 123 in the second ODI of the 2005 Pakistan tour of India led the home side to a thrilling 58-run victory. His stunning century, packed with 15 fours and four sixes, and Virender Sehwag’s 74 off 70 balls, helped India post 356/9 in the first innings. Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf tried their best but the Indian bowler came out on top as they bundled out the visitors for 298 runs.
2. 183*(145) vs Sri Lanka, Jaipur, 2005
Dhoni’s highest score in ODIs came in the third match of the 2005 Sri Lanka tour of India. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first and posted a competitive target of 299 runs. In reply, India got off to a poor start as they lost Sachin Tendulkar cheaply in the very first over. However, Dhoni came in at Mo. 3 and stitched brief partnerships with the middle order and took India home by six wickets. He scored an unbeaten 183 off 145 balls with the help of 15 fours and 10 sixes.
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1. 91*(79) vs Sri Lanka, Wankhede, 2011, World Cup Final
MS Dhoni’s career-best knock came in the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka. Chasing 275 runs, Gautam Gambhir’s counter-attack brought India back into the game, but a win was still far away from India. Despite not being able to make much of an impact with the bat throughout the series, Dhoni decided to place himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh at No.5.
The keeper-batter formed crucial partnerships with Gambhir and Yuvraj. He sealed India’s victory with a ‘magnificent six into the crowd’ in the second last over and finished with an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls. Dhoni was also adjudged Player of the Match.