Top 3 MS Dhoni Centuries In ODI Cricket

Former India captain MS Dhoni served the Indian team for nearly 15 years. He also played for Jharkhand and Bihar in the domestic circuit before entering the international stage. He is in the last phase of his career, playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 season. Captain cool MS Dhoni has earned many accolades from his hardcore fans, experts and critics throughout a glittering career where he featured in 90 Tests, 350 One-Day Internationals, and 98 T20 International matches for India. Watching many MS Dhoni centuries, the World Cup-winning Indian captain was hailed as the best Finisher in limited-overs cricket. There are countless memories of Dhoni finishing matches for India in close encounters. In this blog, we look at the top 3 MS Dhoni centuries in ODI cricket that defined the character and personality of Thala Dhoni.

Top 3 MS Dhoni Centuries In ODI Cricket

Captain Cool MS Dhoni is the second-most-popular Indian cricketer, behind only Sachin Tendulkar. He came from a cricketing backwater, the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. He made it to the top, achieving success through his unique batting and wicketkeeping techniques and his unconventional approach to captaincy that ranged from conservative to unorthodox. Dhoni is one of the most loved and respected cricketers of all time. It is incredible that MS Dhoni is the only captain to win all three ICC events. He is also a five-time IPL-winning captain. Under Dhoni's leadership, India led the Test rankings for 18 months starting December 2009, won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Dhoni became an instant darling of the crowds and was all over the cricket news with ODI innings of 148 and 183 not out within a year of his debut. Here are the top 3 MS Dhoni centuries in ODI cricket.

List of MS Dhoni ODI Centuries

1. A long-haired young MS Dhoni announces his arrival at Vizag

On April 5, 2005, a long-haired young MS Dhoni announced his arrival on the international stage, kickstarting his cricket journey with a spectacular 148-run knock against Pakistan at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Dhoni showcased his power-hitting skills for the world in the second ODI of the six-match series. In a display of sheer dominance, Dhoni's explosive innings of 148 runs from 123 balls comprised 15 fours and 4 massive sixes. The famous knock took India to a commanding total of 356/9 in fifty overs. Defending their massive score, Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Ashish Nehra's four-wicket haul, bundled out Pakistan for 298, securing a memorable victory. Little did we know that Dhoni would lead the Indian team in lifting the 2011 ODI World Cup trophy after a massive gap of 28 years.

2. MS Dhoni Smashes His Career-Best ODI Score 183* against Sri Lanka in 2005

Talking about MS Dhoni total runs and MS Dhoni centuries, fans and critics can't leave out his career-high 183 runs in the ODI against Sri Lanka on October 31, 2005, at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Dhoni played an aggressive knock of 183 runs from 145 balls, smashing 15 fours and 10 sixes. India did not get off to the best of starts as the hosts were 7/1 after Sachin Tendulkar got out early in the game. After being promoted to bat at No. 3, Dhoni smashed a six over cover off Chaminda Vaas, setting the tone for India's innings. Dhoni and opener Sehwag put up a 92-run partnership to counter the Sri Lankan spinners. However, Dhoni continued to attack with captain Dravid for an additional 86 runs. After that, Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh put up 65 runs, while Venugopal Rao played second fiddle to help India win.

3. Dashing Thala Dhoni's century rescues India from 29-5 against Pakistan at Chepauk

This was one of MS Dhoni's best recovery innings. India was 29 for 5 against Pakistan in the first ODI, then Dhoni scored an unbeaten 113 runs from 125 balls, which included 7 fours & 3 sixes, helping India post 227 for 6 in 50 overs. A remarkable swing bowling spell from Junaid Khan's 4 wickets before a brilliant century from Nasir Jamshed and Younis Khan's fifty helped Pakistan seal a six-wicket victory over India. Despite the Ice-cool MS Dhoni's masterclass ton, Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series in 2012-13. Talking about the Chennai crowd, the Chepauk Stadium is one of the top IPL cricket stadiums, and the fans from down South have adopted Thala Dhoni.

MS Dhoni has played 350 matches in his ODI career and scored 10,773 runs, averaging 51. Dhoni has smashed 826 fours and 229 sixes in his ODI career. India's loss to New Zealand in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup marked Dhoni's last international match, although this was not officially confirmed until more than a year later. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic halting sports activities, he shared the news of his retirement on Instagram.