Mahendra Singh Dhoni Turns 35, Captain Cool's Penchant For Last-Ball Sixes
MS Dhoni has changed the fortunes of Indian cricket ever since he made his international debut in 2004. On his 35th birthday, here is a look at some of the special numbers that define him as a player, keeper and captain
Highlights
-
Dhoni holds the record for highest score by wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs
-
MS Dhoni has secured over 100 wins as ODI skipper
-
Dhoni is the only skipper to have won all three major ICC tournaments
An audacious cricketer. A finisher par excellence. A batsman who seals a game with a six. A limited-overs giant. An ICC clean sweep. The greatest wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs. The personification of calmness. All these factors sum up Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian limited-overs skipper turned 35 on July 7.
In his 12-year international career, MS Dhoni has accumulated plenty of records and revolutionised the way India have approached ODIs. His exploits have helped India scale the pinnacle in both Tests and ODIs and have made them a force to reckon with in all major tournaments. On his birthday, here is a look at the magnificent achievements Dhoni has accumulated so far across all formats. Happy Birthday, MS.
224 - The highest individual score by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests. MS Dhoni achieved this feat against Australia in Chennai in 2013. Before this, Budhi Kunderan had scored 192 against England in 1964 also in Chennai. Dhoni audaciously smashed the 49-year record in style and it set the base for India's historic win over Australia in that series. Overall, his effort is the second-highest amongst full-time keepers, behind Andy Flower's 232 which he scored against India in Nagpur in 2000
183 - This was the innings which defined MS Dhoni's dazzling brilliance. Against Sri Lanka in Jaipur in 2005, Dhoni came out to bat at number three and tore the Sri Lankan bowling attack apart as he smashed 15 fours and 10 sixes in a stunning knock. His unbeaten 183 still remains the highest individual score by a wicket-keeper batsman in ODIs.
107 - The number of wins accumulated by Dhoni as limited-overs skipper. He is second in the all-time list behind Ricky Ponting's record of 165 wins. Out of 194 ODIs in which Dhoni has captained, he has won 107 and lost 72 with a win-loss percentage of 59.56 percent
3 - The most special number for MS Dhoni. He is the first and only skipper so far to have won all three major ICC Championship trophies. He won the 2007 ICC World T20 in South Africa, won the 50-over World Cup in 2011 after 28 years and completed the set by defeating England in the Champions Trophy in 2013. India are only the second team to win all ICC trophies after West Indies.
9 - MS Dhoni is known to finish matches off with a six. However, the ease with which he has done it makes one marvel at this ability. He has finished an ODI match with a six nine times, which is the most by any player in history. He has also hit a six with the last ball of the innings, which is in the 50th over, four times which is also a record.
148 - First major score for MS Dhoni in international cricket. He achieved this score in his fifth ODI and also in the fifth Test and both came against Pakistan. However, across all formats, Dhoni has effected a total of 148 stumpings, which is the most by any keeper.