Top 5 memorable MS Dhoni-Virat Kohli partnerships in ODIs
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are undoubtedly two of the greatest cricketers to play for India. Despite their batting styles being overwhelmingly different from each other, their common love and adept for chasing coupled with their insane chemistry produced some match-winning partnerships.
The duo complemented each other like no one else, their common approach towards chasing, and their commitment towards running between the wickets made it a calculative art to witness. Among all three formats, the ODIs were most suited to their style as they could be calculative in the middle overs, putting pressure on the bowlers with their incessant strike rotation and then switching gears after settling.
As Dhoni gradually moved down the order, eventually settling at No.6 and No.7 positions, the partnerships between him and Kohli did see a gradual decline. However, the pair has delivered enough to remember them by, with their style of batting boding well, especially for chasing, leading to some iconic wins.
The pair have shared 17 partnerships in ODI cricket when it comes to winning causes, accounting for 749 runs at an average of 53.50.
On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 memorable MS Dhoni-Virat Kohli partnerships in ODIs.
#1 151 off 163 balls (3rd ODI vs New Zealand; 2016, Mohali)
With the series level at 1-1, India and New Zealand played a crucial contest in Mohali in a bid to claim the lead. After putting the visitors into bat first, India were fazed with a target of 286.
The Men in Blue fell nearly trouble as India slipped to 41-2 in the ninth over, with both Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane returning poor scores. The duo of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni joined forces to tackle the run chases, and handled the middle overs efficiently.
Their mammoth partnership came to an end with Dhoni's dismissal in the 36th over. The wicket-keeper batter had scored a well-compiled 80 off 90 balls. Kohli, however, remained till the end to see the chase through with 10 balls to spare as he scored an unbeaten 154 off 134 deliveries.
#2 152 off 159 balls (Tri-Series vs Bangladesh, 2010, Dhaka)
Another one of Kohli-Dhoni's mammoth ODI partnerships came during a run chase. Bangladesh handed India a major scare by posting a commanding 296 in the first innings.
The Bangladeshi bowling attack rocked the formidable Indian top order by reducing them to 51-3 in the ninth over. The onus was on the pair of Kohli and Dhoni to restore some control in the run chase. The duo did exactly that and more as they guided the team to a formidable position.
Kohli was dismissed in the 35th over by Shakib Al Hasan, only nine short of his hundred. But Dhoni applied the finishing touches to finish with an unbeaten hundred and sealed the game for India with 15 balls to spare.
#3 71 off 93 balls (5th ODI vs New Zealand, 2016, Vizag)
Vizag means a lot to both Dhoni and Kohli. It is where the World Cup-winning skipper announced his arrival, with a blistering 148 against Pakistan back in 2005. On the other hand, Kohli holds an average of close to 100 at the venue after seven appearances, including three hundreds.
India were placed well at 119/2 after 22 overs, but it was essential to not give New Zealand any additional momentum in the series finale. Kohli and DHoni did exactly that, laying down a platform for them and the lower-order batters to capitalize later on.
They survived the testing phase in the middle overs, and by the time their stand ended India were 190/3 in the 38th over. The Men in Blue pushed to 269 from there, and ended up winning the match by a mammoth 190-run margin.
#4 68 off 75 balls (Tri-Nation series vs Bangladesh; 2010; Dhaka)
After one mammoth partnership sank Bangladesh in the 2010 tri-series, the duo once again joined forces to repeat their exploits in the repeat fixture.
Chasing 248 for victory, Virat Kohli was well-set and India were comfortable placed at 133-3 at the halfway mark of the run chase. Kohli and Dhoni kept the scoreboard ticking, and added valuable runs for the fourth wicket.
Last time around, it was Kohli who perished leaving MS Dhoni to finish things off, but this time their roles were reversed. The Indian skipper was dismissed in the 37th over for a well-made 32, leaving Kohli to continue and wrap things up. The No.3 batter reached his century and got India across the line with seven overs to spare.
#5 61 runs off 40 deliveries (6th ODI vs Australia; 2013, Nagpur)
In one of the most thrilling run chases in Indian ODI history, it was the ever-reliant duo of Kohli and Dhoni who guided the team home. Unfazed by an intimidating 351-run target, India were cruising as the top three of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli went berserk.
However, the run chase reached a tricky stage after Mitchell Johnson dismissed both Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh in the same over. At 290-5 after 43 overs, the match was well set.
Dhoni came in and played second fiddle to the well-set Virat Kohli and the duo ensured that India crossed the line in the must-win encounter to level the series with a game to spare.