Record Alert! MS Dhoni pips Jonty Rhodes, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ricky Ponting with 40 not out innings in successful ODI run chases

Thirimanne, who is making a comeback to the side was the highest scorer for the hosts, he scored 80. The hosts managed to put on 217 which proved to be paltry for India

By: Ankit Banerjee |
August 28, 2017 11:59 am

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma guided India to victory in the 3rd One Day International, helping India take an unassailable 3-0 lead. There had been questions hovering over MS Dhoni’s future ahead of this tournament, but he has allowed his bat to do the talking. In the 2nd ODI, India was in a precarious position facing defeat, that is when MS Dhoni played a sedate 45 not out along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar to see India home. In the 3rd ODI, he remained 61 not out and in the process, they put on a 157-run partnership to see India win. Dhoni has already proved that fitness was not an issue and he still has a lot of gas left in his tank.

But it was Jasprit Bumrah’s career best, a fifer, that laid the foundation for the batsman to take over. India lost Shikhar Dhawan early and Virat Kohli followed suit, but Rohit Sharma held the fort and returned to form with a sparkling 124 not out.

With his not out from the 3rd ODI, Dhoni has entered a coveted club of batsmen, which include Ricky Ponting, Jonty Rhodes and Inzamam Ul Haq. MS Dhoni currently has the most number of unbeaten knocks (40) in successful ODI run chases ahead of Jonty Rhodes (33), Inzamam-ul-Haq (32) and Ricky Ponting (31).

Most unbeaten innings in successful ODI run chases:

40 – MS Dhoni
33 – Jonty Rhodes
32 – Inzamam-ul-Haq
31 – Ricky Ponting#howzstat _ pic.twitter.com/ipDNtZWFCW

— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017

Earlier in the day, Thirimanne, who is making a comeback to the side was the highest scorer for the hosts, he scored 80. The hosts managed to put on 217 which proved to be paltry for India, which is in a red hot form.

What is dangerous than MS Dhoni in field.
MS dhoni without helmet __. #RohitSharma #INDvSL

— Hardik Pandya _ (@hardiksirpandya) August 27, 2017

Dhoni also took a quick nap on the field which became a major talking point.

Bumrah, Rohit and Dhoni drive India to victory _ #SLvIND

Report from Pallekele: https://t.co/ebSeZaEjsu pic.twitter.com/lDj6t2WCeC

— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2017

From funny jokes to memes, social media is full of the ‘sleeping’ episode where Dhoni was involved.