Dhoni's amazing records in ODIs: 80 not outs, 46 wins & more
In the recent past, a lot has been spoken regarding MS Dhoni's value to the current Indian team in ODI cricket. After enduring a torrid phase in 2018, the former skipper has finally managed to break the shackles with a series-defining performance on Australian soil.
After beginning the 3-match series with a disappointing 96-ball 51 in India's 34-run loss in Sydney, Dhoni recaptured his form by hammering an unbeaten 55 off 54 balls and guiding the Men in Blue to a thrilling triumph in Adelaide.
With the series on the line, Dhoni reiterated his ability to marshal India's fortunes in tight run-chases. Chasing 231, the wicket-keeper batsman paced the pursuit to perfection. He remained unbeaten on 87 from 114 balls and enabled India to register a seven-wicket victory in Melbourne.
In such regard, let us take a look at three amazing records collected by Dhoni due to his penchant for remaining not out in ODIs.
Dhoni's not outs in ODIs - 80
Thus far, Dhoni has batted in 284 innings among 335 ODI matches. These numbers include the three matches which he had played for Asia XI against Africa XI in the 2007 Afro-Asia Cup.
Dhoni has amassed 10,366 runs and is currently perched at twelfth spot in the list of leading run-scorers in ODI history. However, the wicket-keeper batsman's tally of 80 not outs is an all-time record in the 50-over format. The likes of Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas jointly occupy the second spot with 72 not outs each.
Dhoni's not outs in successful ODI run-chases - 46
Dhoni has been involved in 112 victorious ODIs when his teams batted second. He has batted in 73 of those wins. The right-hander has scored 2783 runs at a monstrous average of 103.07 and impressive strike-rate of 88.34. Aside from scoring two centuries and 19 fifties, he has remained not out on 46 occasions.
Dhoni's average of 103.07, as well as his tally of 46 not outs in successful run-chases, are comfortably the best in the history of ODI cricket. While Virat Kohli's colossal average of 97.98 is the second best (among batsmen with a minimum of 20 such innings), Jonty Rhodes' tally of 33 not outs is next best.
Dhoni's not outs in unsuccessful ODI run-chases - 1
Dhoni's prowess as a match-winner can be discerned from just a fleeting glance at his tally of not outs in unsuccessful run-chases. He has remained not out on just one occasion when his team lost the match while batting second.
That anomaly happened during India's 85-run defeat against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in 2013. Dhoni scored a valiant 54 and eventually ran out of partners at the other end.
(*Note: All statistics are accurate as of 18th January 2019)