India lost the opening ODI to Sri Lanka in Dharamsala but MS Dhoni won millions of hearts with his batting. Yet again, the former captain proved how important he is for the side in the limited-overs format. Now, as the teams gear up for the second game in Mohali, Dhoni is set to achieve another milestone in his illustrious career.
Also read: Did Dhoni break DRS rules in 1st ODI?
On Wednesday (December 13), Rohit Sharma-led India host the islanders in the second ODI. They need to win the contest to stay alive in the three-match rubber. It will be a special game for Dhoni as he will match former skipper Sourav Ganguly's record.
In Dharamsala, when the rest of the batting unit was blown away by Sri Lankan bowlers, Dhoni stood tall among the ruins. He hit a crucial half century (65) that helped India score 112. If not for his knock, they would have been humiliated further, with a score of less than 50.
So far, Dhoni has featured in 310 ODIs. His record as captain has been one of the best. He is the only skipper in ODI history to have won all three Internatioanl Cricket Council's (ICC) trophies - World Twenty20 (2007), World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013).
Having made his ODI debut in 2004 against Bangladesh, he will complete 13 years in international cricket on December 23.
When he takes the field in Mohali, he will equal Ganguly's feat of appearing in 311 ODIs, fourth most by an Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin. Batting legend Tendulkar holds the world record for most ODI appearances with 463.
The 36-year-old Dhoni is also nearing another major milestone. He needs 109 to join the 10,000-ODI runs club. Dhoni has represented India in 307 ODIs and three games for Asia XI against Africa XI.
Most ODI appearances by an Indian, as on December 10, 2017 (Top five)
463 - Sachin Tendulkar
344 - Rahul Dravid
334 - Mohammad Azharuddin
311 - Sourav Ganguly
310 - MS Dhoni
