Former Indian captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni is usually named among the best captains and finishers in World Cricket. Often called as Mahi by his fans, his calmness is one of his biggest strengths. MS Dhoni has 16 International hundreds to his name. He usually bats at 5th or 6th position and he often got tail-enders to partner with. But getting 16 hundreds while batting in the middle and lower-middle order is quite an exceptional thing. Anyone around the world is not new to the name MS Dhoni. But amongst those 16 hundreds, do you know when MS Dhoni scored his first and last International hundred? On that note, let’s look at MS Dhoni’s first and last international century.
When did MS Dhoni scored his first International century?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni registered his first international century on April 5, 2005, during the second ODI against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam. In this match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. But the host lost Sachin Tendulkar in the fourth over and it brought MS Dhoni to the middle. Dhoni along with Sehwag wreaked havoc on Pakistani bowlers and both formed a 96 run stand, which saw Sehwag go past 50.
Sehwag was sent back to the pavilion in the 14th over but MS Dhoni then found support in Rahul Dravid and the duo stitched 149 run stand. The flamboyant Dhoni smashed 15 fours and 4 sixes in his innings of 148 runs of 123 balls. It took India’s total to 356/9 in the allotted 50 overs. India, then, managed to defend the total as India bundled Pakistan for 298 runs. Ashish Nehra scalped four wickets for India. But this match was always remembered for Mahi. His innings of 148 runs paved the way for India to set up a huge total of 356. MS Dhoni was also awarded as the Player of the Match in this match for his brilliant as well as maiden hundred.
Also Read: Top Five MS Dhoni Test Innings – Best Dhoni Test Knocks
When did MS Dhoni scored his last International century?
Having stepped down from captaincy before this series, Dhoni’s ability to finish things under pressure remained unparalleled. India was already 1-0 up in the 3 match ODI series. To clinch the ODI series here, India needs to bat well but they didn’t. With India having lost their top three by the fifth over, Dhoni joined hands with Yuvraj Singh to take India to a position of strength. Dhoni and Yuvi shared a match-winning partnership of 256 runs which turned things in India’s favor.
Yuvraj toyed with English bowling attack. Dhoni, in the starting, stayed calm and let Yuvraj play his shots. Dhoni played a second fiddle to Yuvraj’s entertaining stroke-play early in the innings. But once Yuvi got out, Mahi unleashed himself. Yuvi scored his first and only 150 plus score. Dhoni contributed with 134 runs in 122 balls which included 10 fours and 6 sixes. But this match got so close. Eoin Morgan blasted 102 runs and Joe Root and Jason Roy went past 50. England tried hard but the visitors couldn’t get over the line.
Watch the video of this inning:
India won this match by 15 runs and with this win also won the series. In this innings, MS Dhoni also completed 200 ODI sixes for India. He is the first Indian to do so. Though MS Dhoni was not awarded as the Man of the Match in this match but his brilliant ton was outstanding. Yuvraj Singh was awarded as the Man of the Match in this match for his brilliant knock of 150 runs.
Also Read: Dhoni ODI Centuries | List Of All MS Dhoni Centuries In One day (ODIs)
Conclusion
These are the first and last International century of MS Dhoni. In his career, Dhoni played 350 ODIs with his highest score being 183 against Sri Lanka. He still remains the only Indian captain to win all major ICC Trophies(50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy). His IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings(CSK) also managed to win the title four-time under his leadership. Dhoni called his time on the international career in August 2020.
