Mahendra Singh Dhoni Records a 'Fifty' in Twenty20 Internationals as India Captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Team India may have finished at the wrong end of a thrilling contest in Dharamsala on Friday night, but the Indian captain achieved a landmark that very few men can dream of. Dhoni, back to international cricket after a three-month gap, became the first captain ever to lead a team on 50 occasions in Twenty20 internationals. (MS Dhoni Slams Umpiring)

Having quit Test cricket last year, 34-year-old Dhoni is probably in the final years of an astonishing career. He is expected to lead in the ICC World Twenty20 at home in March-April next year and the numbers are only going to add up as India are expected to play a slew of Twenty20s to prepare for the world championship. (MS Dhoni Rues Lack of Quality Seaming Allrounder)

Of the 50 Twenty20 internationals he has led in, Dhoni won 26, lost 22, one game was tied and one ended in no result. His 26 wins and 22 losses are also records in their own categories. No captain has won 26 T20I games and also no captain has lost 22 T20I games.

Friday night's defeat left the normally unflappable Dhoni a bit dejected. He complained about the umpiring and particularly a decision against Man of the Match JP Duminy, who took the match away from India's grasp with a scintillating 34-ball 68, studded with seven sixes and a boundary.

The incident Dhoni indicated came in the 17th over of South Africa's chase. South Africa had suddenly lost three top batsmen and Duminy and Farhaan Behardien were still repairing the damage. With South Africa needing 43 off 23, a toe-crusher from Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit Duminy's boot, but the Indian umpire negated a vociferous appeal from the Indians. That was one of the turning points of the match.

"If decisions don't go in your favour, that also puts pressure and I thought we were unfortunate not to get Duminy," Dhoni said. "The game was evenly poised but that's how cricket is, you don't get everything in your favour. But I felt they also batted well, kept the momentum going which is important when you're chasing 200 runs."

This is the first time India are playing a three-match Twenty20 international series. They are only adding up to Dhoni's credit.

(With inputs from HR Gopala Krishna)