Sachin Tendulkar hails MS Dhoni for completing century of half-centuries

The game at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai, saw yet another masterpiece from MS Dhoni, where he struck a match-defining partnership with young Hardik Pandya to save the day for his side for the nth time in his career. Just when the team look distraught to reach even a total of 220, India ended up with a match winning total of 281, thanks to the innings from Mahi.

MSD scored a priceless inning of 79 off 88 balls, scoring 4 boundaries and two sixes, in his trademark style. He was cautious up front, looking for the singles and giving the strike to Pandya who looked in imperious form before launching the final assault during death. Pandya ended up with a knock of 83 off just 66 balls at a strike rate of 125, smashing 5 sixes and 5 boundaries. Two of those boundaries hit the roof at the Chepauk.

In between all the action, the greatest finisher of the game brought up his 100th international half-century. He is now the 14th cricketer to bring up the feat. The Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a century of centuries himself, lauded the effort of the former captain for his monumental contribution to Indian Cricket.

Here’s the Tweet

MS Dhoni had been on a record-breaking spree since the recently concluded Sri Lankan series. Firstly, he overhauled the tally of former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin in terms of runs scored in ODIs. MSD is now fourth highest run-getter for India in the 50-over format and is only behind stalwarts such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. He is only a catching distance away from the 10,000 run mark.

Further, he remained unbeaten in all the five innings played in the series and rescued India in two back to back matches, helping India to clinch the series. With those efforts, he has the most number of not-outs in ODI cricket, overhauling 72 not-outs by Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas. Dhoni also has the most number of unbeaten innings in International Cricket including all three formats of the game.