Mahendra Singh Dhoni Adds More Captaincy Records Despite Gloomy India Show in England
Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the most-capped Indian captain against England when he went out to toss in the Oval Test. Dhoni went past Sunil Gavaskar, who led India in 14 Tests against England. But that's not all the records he has scripted.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is 'scoring' a plethora of records in what could be his last tour of England as India captain. While he shares the record with Sourav Ganguly for leading Indian in most overseas Tests, he is the most-capped captain against England with 15 Tests. Ganguly has led in 28 Tests and Mohammed Azharuddin has captained in 27 away Tests. But the list is endless for Dhoni. (Dhoni Shows Kohli Who's the Boss)
Dhoni had scored seven fifties as a wicket-keeper-batsman against England in England prior to the start of the Oval Test. His 82 in the first innings was his ninth fifty against England in England. He now owns the record for most fifties by a keeper-batsman against England in England. He went past with John Henry Bickford of South Africa, who scored seven fifties against England in England.
The current Indian captain is eyeing Farokh Engineer's batting record against England. Dhoni has an aggregate of 1075. He needs 39 more runs to go past Engineer's aggregate of 1113. (Dhoni Hits 82)
Dhoni has overtaken one more Indian captain, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Dhoni shared the Indian record for most half centuries against a specific opposition when leading India. Before Oval Test, Dhoni scored eight half centuries against England and Pataudi scored as many half centuries against Australia. His 82 at Oval was Dhoni's ninth half century against England. (Crowe Questions Dhoni's Judgement)
Dhoni has beaten Rahul Dravid too in terms of scoring fifties against a specific opposition while leading India overseas. Before the Oval Test, Dhoni had five fifties against England while Dravid scored the same number against Pakistan. Now Dhoni has six 50s against England on foreign soil.
Dhoni had scored 13 fifties while leading India on away soil prior to the start of the Oval Test His 82 was his 14th fifty on away soil. He now shares the record of scoring most fifties by an Indian captain on away soil with Ganguly. Ganguly has scored 14 fifties while leading India overseas.
(With inputs from HR Gopala Krishna)