The series has been wrapped up and the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka is an opportunity for the Indian team management to try out a different team combination, or give fresh faces a chance. But for MS Dhoni, one of the greatest limited-overs cricketer of the modern era, it will be a special milestone as he will step out for the 300th time in India colours in ODIs.
So far, in 299 ODIs, Dhoni has amassed 9608 runs at an average of 51.93 with 65 fifties and 10 centuries. Over the course of his international career, the wicketkeeper has created and broken many records. The 4th ODI will not only be his 300th ODI, the cricketer also has the opportunity to set two world records.
With 99 stumpings to his name, Dhoni currently shares the record of maximum stumpings with former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. The Colombo ODI will be an opportunity for him to break the record.
The 36-year-old now has 72 not outs to his name, at par with Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas for the most ODI unbeaten knocks. One more unbeaten innings and he will achieve the maximum not outs in the 50-over format.
There have been doubts about the wicketkeeper-batsman’s future in Team India with the flamboyant batsman losing his ability to explode at will. While few have asked the selectors to try out young names as the former skipper’s replacement, Dhoni has dispelled these doubts with his crucial innings in the last two ODIs.
In the second ODI after India slumped to 131/7 chasing 231, Dhoni played the role of an anchor with an unbeaten 45. He also mentored Bhuvneshwar Kumar to his maiden fifty as they put up 100 runs for the eighth wicket to lead his side to victory.
Two days after the memorable victory, Dhoni stitched a 157-run partnership for the fifth-wicket with Rohit Sharma, with Dhoni scoring an unbeaten 67 to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third ODI to clinch the series.
Feature image: AFP