The One Question which every MS Dhoni fan would be having in mind is “Has MS Dhoni ever opened an innings for India?“
I have always liked the questions which allow me to do a deeper research to find the answer.
One could say it is no big deal. But doing a research on my favourite field “Cricket” and that too on MSD brings an incredible joy, which might seem scarcely credible for few.
Dhoni as an Opener for India!
We know him as one of the Best Finisher the game has ever seen. But Has he ever opened the innings for India?
The Answer to the Question is Indeed!!! Yes !!! Not once but twice.
MS Dhoni, during the Controversial times of Greg Chappell coaching India, has opened the batting two times for India along with Virender Sehwag as an experimental move. Those two incidents happened in 2005 and 2006 against Sri Lanka and England respectively.
Let us see about both the incidents and how successful he was during his opening stint in ODIs.
1st Match, Indian Oil Cup at Dambulla, Jul 30, 2005
It was the first match of the Tri-Series (Indian Oil Cup) played in Sri Lanka, between the host country Sri Lanka and India. West Indies were the third team. The Indian captain, Rahul Dravid won the toss and had opted to bat.
It was a shocking move from the Indian side when MS Dhoni came out along with Virender Sehwag to open the Indian Innings. Dhoni started his count with a strong forward punch between the cover fielders for a 2.
But Dhoni couldn’t continue for long as he was bowled out for the same score of 2. Interestingly, Dhoni was the first victim of Dilhara Lokuhettige, a debutant who has only 6 wickets in the 9 ODIs he played throughout his career.
It was the same fate for India on that day as India lost the match by 3 wickets.
Scorecard
Source: CRICINFO
6th ODI, England tour of India at Jamshedpur, Apr 12, 2006
Dhoni was once again given a chance at No.2 along with Viru to open the Innings in the following year. This time against England, Dhoni used the opportunity to score a steady 96 runs off 106 balls. It included 10 fours and 3 sixes.
But the match ended in the hands of England who were boosted by the Century Opening Partnership from the skipper Strauss and Bell. It was an ordinary day for Indian players as the Indians were all out for 223. The opposition was able to chase down the target with the loss of just half of their wickets count.
Scorecard
Source: CRICINFO
And this experimental move was not pursued as MS Dhoni was left out for the next match, with Robin Uthappa replacing him and ending up scoring a match-winning half-century.
Concluding with…
MS Dhoni has mostly batted at No.6 in his career after he has donned the captaincy role. He has then become one of the best finisher in cricket history by winning many matches for India at No.6.
He played majorly at No. 5 and 6 based on the team’s need. He has always been a spectacular player as a batsman for India and a fantastic guide to the current Indian team players.
MS Dhoni, opening the batting was never a better choice as he is always a born finisher. His clean strikes and power hits instead suited his role as a finisher than an opener.
Comment below if you think differently in this case.
