MS Dhoni just one run away from crossing yet another landmark

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is just one run shy of crossing another landmark in ODI cricket in his glorious career. The milestone is of crossing 10,000 runs in ODI cricket solely while playing for India. Although, not to forget that the veteran has already achieved the milestone, however, the 174 runs came in the match against Africa XI while playing for Asia XI in 2007. Hence, that brings down Dhoni’s tally of runs to 9999, barring the innings of 174.

MS Dhoni could’ve secured that one run in the last game itself when he scored 23 off 15 balls and looked to be regaining his touch. India go into the final ODI at Thiruvananthapuram eyeing to win another One-Day series in the home soil.

The 37-year old, who also served as the captain of the national team from the year 2007 to 2016 will join the handful of the batsmen’s club who have crossed 10,000 runs in the format. Dhoni has been one of the most successful limited-overs captains, having led India to a 20-over and 50-over World Cup victories. He also at the helm for the Men in Blue in the Champions Trophy victory in 2013. Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket in 2014, has been under immense pressure of late due to his dismal form in limited overs format.

His form in IPL 2018 had been a blistering one, which he was expected to replicate in the international matches but that wasn’t the case. The selectors had given the statement to move on from MS Dhoni by dropping him from the squad for the T20I series to face Windies and Australia. The wicket-keeper batsman, however, still remains afloat in India’s plans for the 2019 World Cup since his experience will be invaluable to their world cup chances.

Unpredictable Windies team aim to level the series

An unexpected and an unprecedented challenge by Windies, because of which a tie was witnessed and a shock defeat to India has left the visitors a real chance to level the series, provided they win the final ODI. However, a win for India will maintain their unbeaten run in an ODI series at home since the loss to South Africa in 2015.

~Written by Aayushmaan Vishwanathan