Memory Lane: When Mahendra Singh Dhoni Scored a Fine Century for Asia XI

Mahendra Singh Dhoni came into the International arena in 2004. The former Indian captain didn’t have the best of starts as he was run-out in his debut match against Bangladesh. In fact, Dhoni made the most of his upcoming opportunities to cement his place in the Indian team.

However, MS Dhoni went on to savour great success in the International form. Dhoni has scored 10 International hundreds in the 50-over format. whereas, the wicketkeeper-batsman has accumulated six centuries in the red-ball form.

Dhoni was able to show glimpses of what he has to offer:

Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Dhoni registered a fine century while playing for Asia XI against Africa XI in 2007 at Chennai.

Asia XI had their backs against the wall when Dhoni came out to bat. The team was tottering at 72 for five when Dhoni joined captain Mahela Jayawardene. Both the right-handed batsman stitched a gargantuan partnership of 218 runs to power Asia XI score to 331.

Veteran Dhoni scored a fine 139 off just 97 balls – to announce himself at the big stage.

Moreover, Dhoni’s blistering knock included 15 boundaries and five maximums. On the other hand, Asia XI skipper Mahela Jayawardene scored a fine 107 runs off 106 balls.

Furthermore, Dhoni also had the company of Indian players in that match. Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh were also part of the Asia XI squad.

So much so, India’s off-spinner Harbhajan bagged three wickets in the same match.

Dhoni fine knock had helped Asia XI in winning the match by 13 runs as Africa XI could manage only 318.

On the account of this fine knock, the pugnacious batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni was awarded the Man of the Match. 

Consequently, the Asia XI team had gone on to win the three-match ODI series 3-0 against the Africa XI.

Meanwhile, Africa XI squad included players like AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, and Mark Boucher, to be precise.