Each Time MS Dhoni Hit The Ball, It Went Further And Further - Russel Arnold Recalls Dhoni's Stunning Knock

Published - 08 Jul 2022, 05:53 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:10 AM

MS Dhoni (Getty Images)

The renowned Sri Lankan all-rounder Russel Arnold remembered one of the many memorable innings played by the former India skipper on MS Dhoni’s birthday, which was only right.

Dhoni’s birthday was celebrated by the entire community of Indian cricket lovers yesterday, July 7, 2022.

The one standout Dhoni performance among the many great ones that come to mind is his 183-run innings against Sri Lanka in Jaipur. It still holds the record for the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper-batter. In just 47 overs, Dhoni assisted India in chasing down 298; the rest, as they say, is history.

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“Virender Sehwag and Sachin both fell early, but India then took the game by surprise. At No. 3, MS Dhoni was eliminated. That would indicate that even India, who boasts batting greats like Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, and others, felt that they needed to pull out all the stops.”

“Dhoni had played the number three position before; he had struck a hundred against Pakistan while batting on a few occasions. However, he emerged and stealthily assumed command. India reached the goal in 46 overs; as soon as the initial enthusiasm and noise subsided, “in a Cricket.com video, Arnold said.

‘I just wonder why didn’t he bat at No. 3 more’: MS Dhoni

Dhoni was moved to bat at No. 3 for the second time in his career. The first time it occurred, earlier that year, Sourav Ganguly advised Dhoni to go one down, and we are all aware of how the move worked out – 148 against Pakistan at Vizag.

“In the 46th over, he needed 145 balls to lead India to 303. Dhoni scores 10 sixes and 15 fours. If I had been given the ball, I most likely would have finished it earlier. The good news about this Dhoni inning is that it did not need much sprinting on our part either because the ball kept going over our heads.”

“The ball grew farther away with each stroke he made. India made a terrific effort to startle the opponents with a sensational knock. I simply wonder why he did not take more swings at No. 3. He probably could cause significant harm.”

Dhoni, the limited-overs batsman, was a legend. He scored over 10,000 ODI runs at an average of 50.57 in 350 games.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: You Don’t Want Virat Kohli Batting At No.3 In The Middle Overs – Graeme Swann

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MS Dhoni Russel Arnold