IND vs SA: Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli Surpass Unique Record Of MS Dhoni And Suresh Raina

Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan on Sunday surpassed MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina’s record of 27 fifty-plus partnerships by a left-right batting combination for India.

South Africa whitewashed India 3-0 in the recent ODI series after a narrow win by four runs on Sunday in Cape Town.

South Africa opener Quinton de Kock smashed a scintillating 124 with Rassie van der Dussen continuing his tremendous form with 52 off 59 balls as the hosts were bowled out for 287.

Virat Kohli-Shikhar Dhawan went past MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina’s record

After stand-in skipper KL Rahul departed in the fifth over to Lungi Ngidi, Kohli (65) and Dhawan (61) stitched a 98-run stand for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed in the 23rd over.

In the course of their partnership, the Delhi batters registered their 28th 50-plus stand, which is one more than what Dhoni and Raina had achieved during their playing days.

Sourav Ganguly-Sachin Tendulkar has most 50-plus stands by an Indian pair

Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar topped the charts as they were involved in 55 partnerships that added more than 50 runs between them. Dhawan and his long-time ODI opening partner Rohit Sharma are second in that list with 32 50-plus partnership stands.

Dhawan brought up his 52nd ODI half-century, equalising the tally of former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.

Kohli got a leading edge to Keshav Maharaj’s delivery, with some extra bounce, and South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma ran from cover to take the catch. Kohli missed another opportunity to reach the three-figure mark in international cricket. 

All-rounder Deepak Chahar played some brilliant shots to give India hope to avoid a whitewash. Chahar hammered 54 from 34 balls, plundering five boundaries and a couple of sixes at the strike rate of 158.82.

Chahar’s fighting knock wasn’t enough as India fell short by four runs in their chase of 288 as the visitors were bowled out for 283.

Also Read: ICC U19 World Cup 2022: Raj Bawa Breaks Shikhar Dhawan’s 18-Year-Old Record