5 Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni centuries one may not be aware about

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are two of the ginormous names in Indian cricket. Even as Dhoni is at the fag end of his career, Kohli has quite a bit of cricket left ahead of him. MSD’s career has spanned 16 years thus far and his trophy cabinet has trophies filled in it.

He remains to be the only skipper, who has won all the three limited-over tournaments, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Dhoni has also taken India to the top of the rankings in Test cricket. In his glorious career, he scored 26 tons and 134 fifties.

Virat, on the contrary, has 86 centuries and 130 half-centuries in all the formats to go with over 21,000 runs. Nevertheless, while some of Dhoni and Kohli’s tons went on to hog the limelight, a few of those didn’t quite manage to catch people’s attention despite their brilliance.

In the article, let’s take a look at Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni’s lesser known centuries: –

1. Dhoni’s century for Asia XI against Africa XI in 2007

Dhoni’s love affair with Chennai and CSK since the 2008 IPL is an open secret. But apart from his numbers for Team India and IPL franchise, Dhoni has also weaved his magic at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In third match of the Afro-Asia Cup back in 2007, the Jharkhand-born showed his sheer class.

Batting at number seven, he got 139 runs off 97 balls with the help of 15 fours and five sixes. He shared a 218-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardene, who also scored a century, after the Asia XI were reduced to 72 for five.

Dhoni stayed unbeaten and took his side to a formidable 331 for eight. Dhoni’s brilliant knock didn’t go in vain as the Asia XI emerged victorious by 13 runs. The now 38-year-old also managed to effect the stumpings of Vusi Sibanda, Steve Tikolo and  Mark Boucher.

2. Virat’s ton against West Indies in the 2008 U19 World Cup

In 2008, Virat Kohli debuted for Team India in the tour of Sri Lanka, and that marked a new era in the history of Indian cricket. Currently having over 21,000 runs at the highest level, Virat is nearing the league of all-time-greats. In 2008 itself, Kohli won the U19 World Cup with India in Malaysia.

Not only did he lead from the front, but also churned out 235 runs in six matches at an average of 47. It was his knock against the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur that stood out. The right-hander notched 100 runs off 74 balls with the help of 10 fours and four sixes.

Batting at four, he propelled India to 265 for five after which they won by 50 runs. In the same year, the Delhi-born also managed to bag an IPL contract for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. At 31, Virat is owner of a plethora of records.

3. Dhoni’s century for India A against Pakistan A

Back in 2004, a sparkling young talent by the name of MS Dhoni made his debut for the Indian team. Though he was run out on a duck against Bangladesh in Chattogram, the then youngster had laurels waiting for him in the future.

However, before he donned the national jersey for the maiden time, he scored a century for India A against Pakistan A that paved the way for his journey from there on. In the game during the one-day triangular series in Kenya, the Jharkhand-born smashed 119 runs off 134 balls.

The knock, laced with nine fours and five sixes, caught the eyes of many as India A chased down 235 to win by eight wickets. His stand off 169 with Gautam Gambhir took their team over the line. In 2005 and 2006, Dhoni made his Test and T20I debut and he kept on growing in stature.

4. Kohli’s Youth Test ton against England

Virat Kohli made his first-class debut for Delhi back in November 2006. But prior to that, he honed his skills for the India U19 team in the Youth Tests. As a 16-year-old, he managed notch a century in red-ball cricket against England in Canterbury back in July 2006.

England, after electing to bat first scored 231. In India’s first innings, Virat stepped up and racked up 123 off 184 balls with 18 fours. Not only did he top-score for India, but also helped his team amass a first-innings lead of 95 runs.

He went on to be cleaned up by leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who also has gotten rid of Kohli in the international level. Virat nurtured his game in first-class cricket to such an extent that he has nearly 9,500 runs with 34 centuries. Even in Test cricket, he has over 7,200 runs with 27 tons to his name.

5. Dhoni’s century against India Revenue

Back in 2009, Dhoni played in the BCCI Corporate Trophy in Mohali. At that time, he was on top of his game and generally preferred to take bowling attacks by the scruff of their necks. Playing for the Air India Blue, MSD unfolded mayhem in the India Revenue’s camp at the PCA Stadium.

Dhoni came to bat in the 25th over and shared an unbeaten stand of 200 runs along with Manvinder Bisla. Dhoni ended with 106 runs off a mere 61 deliveries with seven fours and as many hits into the stands.

His blitzkrieg guided Air India Blue to a colossal 362 in 42 overs. India Revenue were then restricted to 222 for eight. Dhoni’s team comfortably won the game by 143 runs (VJD Method). At that time, Dhoni had already become captains across the three formats for the Indian team.