Mahendra Singh Dhoni Becomes India's Most Successful ODI Captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni registered his 91st ODI win as India captain, edging past Mohammad Azharuddin, as India secured a 3-0 series lead in Birmingham on Tuesday.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni became India's most successful ODI captain as the world champions won a bilateral series in England for the first time since 1990. India, chasing 207 to take an unassailable 3-0 lead, overhauled the target with nine wickets and 117 balls to spare. (Highlights)
Dhoni now has 91 ODI wins as Indian skipper and he edged past Mohammad Azharuddin, the same man who had led India to their last bilateral ODI series win in England. Back then, the visitors had won both their games in the Texaco Trophy - by six wickets at Headingley on July 18 and by five wickets at Nottingham on July 20. (Record-Breaking Dhoni Remains Modest)
Dhoni's stature as a limited overs tactician and captain continued to grow in England, despite a disappointing Test series. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman, who has now become only the third captain ever to lead his country in 25 ODIs against England, had to endure sharp criticism from the media back home, before scripting a remarkable turnover.
The series win in England will give Dhoni some breathing space after a tough season. India's ODI series losses in South Africa last year and New Zealand earlier this year had started to raise serious questions on the team's ability to win games outside the subcontinent. With three back-to-back wins in England, on the back of some splendid innings and magical spells, Dhoni has ensured that India evoke the fear and respect that their one-day world champions' title deserve.
England has been a happy hunting ground for India in the ODIs - they have now won eight ODIs there in a row between June 6, 2013 and September 2, 2014 - their best performance in any country outside India in ODIs.
The Edgbaston triumph is India's 50th win against England in 90 ODIs.
Other Numbers From Edgbaston
- Ajinkya Rahane slammed his first hundred in ODIs, eclipsing the 91 off 104 balls vs England at Mohali on October 20, 2011.
- Rahane received his third Man of the Match award in ODIs - his second vs England.
- Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan were associated in a partnership of 183 - India's highest opening stand in the current tour in Tests & ODIs. ÂÂ
- Indian openers have registered six century stands vs England in England in ODIs. This stand is India's highest vs England in England in ODIs.
- Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten 97 off 81 balls is his first fifty vs England - his eighth in ODIs.
- Dhawan is averaging 81.16 in ODIs in England - his tally being 487 in eight innings, including two hundreds and two fifties.
- Dhawan's performance in a winning cause in ODIs is superb - his aggregate being 1321 runs in 26 innings at an average of 55.04, including five hundreds and seven fifties.
- For the first time against India, England have registered a total of 200 after losing their first three wickets for 25 or less.
- England's 206 is their second highest total vs India at Edgbaston - the highest being 281 for eight on August 27, 2007.
- Mohammed Shami (3/28) produced his best bowling performance vs England in ODIs, eclipsing the two for 32 at Cardiff on August 27, 2014.
- Shami's figures are the second best by an Indian bowler at Edgbaston in ODIs - the best being Sourav Ganguly's 3 for 27 vs England on May 29, 1999.
(Stats courtesy: Rajesh Kumar)