On This Day, October 31: MS Dhoni delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his ODI career, scoring an impressive 183 runs off 145 balls against Sri Lanka at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This unforgettable innings featured 15 fours and 10 sixes, showcasing Dhoni’s talent as he was still relatively new to international cricket, having played for India for less than a year.
🗓️ #OnThisDay in 2005
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 31, 2024
Former #TeamIndia Captain @msdhoni hammered 1⃣8⃣3⃣* off 1⃣4⃣5⃣ balls, smashing 1⃣5⃣ Fours & 1⃣0⃣ Sixes 💪 💪 pic.twitter.com/XvRbaao84u
A Crucial Innings at No. 3
Coming in at No. 3 after the early dismissal of legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni started his innings cautiously. However, he quickly found his rhythm, leading India to successfully chase down a target of 299 runs with 23 balls to spare. This victory secured a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series.
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Record-Breaking Achievement
Dhoni’s 183 became the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs, surpassing the previous record of 172 set by Adam Gilchrist in 2004 against Zimbabwe in Hobart. This record has remained intact for 18 years, despite close attempts from South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, who scored 174 against Bangladesh in 2023, 178 against Australia in 2016, and an unbeaten 168 against Bangladesh in 2017. Bangladesh’s Litton Das also came close, scoring 176 against Zimbabwe in March 2020.
Legacy of a Wicketkeeper-Batter
In addition to setting the record for the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper-batter, Dhoni’s 183 also marked the highest score in a successful run chase at that time. This milestone was later surpassed by Shane Watson’s explosive 185 off 96 balls against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup.
MS Dhoni, recognized as one of cricket’s greatest wicketkeeper-batters, retired with a remarkable tally of 17,266 runs across 538 international matches. He boasts an impressive batting average of 44.96, along with 16 centuries and 108 fifties to his name. His legacy continues to inspire cricket fans and aspiring players worldwide.
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