MS Dhoni crosses 10,000-run mark in ODIs, the first batsman with 50+ average
Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the fifth Indian batsman to score 10,000 ODI runs for India in Sydney during the first ODI match against Australia. MS Dhoni was just one run away from reaching this milestone before the Sydney ODI.
The wicket-keeper batsman had completed his 10,000 runs in ODIs last year in July, but that included 174 runs he scored for Asia XI. He became only the 12th player ever and the fourth Indian to hit the milestone.
The wicket-keeper batsman is also the second wicket-keeper after Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara to achieve the feat.
The firebrand cricketer is the third fastest Indian to hit the 10,000 marks. Dhoni took 273 innings to hit the 10K mark, the fifth fastest overall and third fastest by an Indian. Ricky Ponting achieved it in 266, Jacques Kallis in 272, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly in 259 and 263 innings, respectively.
There are several other records held by Dhoni, he has the most number of centuries batting at the number seven position (10) and most sixes as captain in ODIs. He also holds the record for most stumpings in International cricket and highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs. Besides, he is also the captain with most T20 International wins, numbering 41.
What sets Dhoni apart is that he is the only lower middle order batsmen in the group. All the others were either openers or batted at number 3 or 4. While Inzamam-ul-Haq batted in the lower middle order as well, statistics show that 62 percent of his knocks were as a top order batsman. In comparison, Dhoni batted up the order only in 47 of his 280 innings (roughly 17 percent).
Batting up the order meant that these batsmen had the advantage of spending more time in the middle, giving them the opportunity to play big innings. Dhoni, on the other hand, batted predominantly at number 5 or 6, and would usually come into to bat after 30-35 overs, sometimes even later. This disparity is clearly highlighted by the fact that Dhoni has far fewer centuries than most of the others in the group.
ICC also praised former captain cool for his contribution to cricket and this personal achievement.
🙌 10,000 ODI RUNS FOR INDIA FOR MS DHONI 🙌
The wicket-keeper batsman becomes the fifth to reach the milestone for his country. 👏#AUSvIND LIVE 👇https://t.co/cJ0yJS6W8v pic.twitter.com/ezkRGRjCRI
— ICC (@ICC) January 12, 2019
