Top 6 impactful unbeaten 90s in Tests and ODIs
Across 2007, Sachin Tendulkar breached the 90-run mark seven times in ODIs – never unbeaten – but managed a hundred only once, thrice dismissed on 99. Twice he crossed 90 in Tests but missed out on triple figures once – again, dismissed. Simon Katich tasted triple disaster with dismissals on 92, 99 and 98 in 2009; Murali Vijay suffered a similar fate, having missed out on three away Test hundreds with 97 in Durban, 2013; 95 at Lord’s, 2014 and 99 in Adelaide, 2014.
But there have been men who guided their teams past the finishing line only to have stayed contended with an undefeated 90-something. The 21st century has seen at least six such significant contributions, including 99 not out. And to go in descending order, here they begin:
#6 MS Dhoni: 92* – Indore, 2015
A man under pressure responded in handsome style on a pitch where it was assured runs would flow, and they did, but primarily from only one man. MS Dhoni stood tall amidst all his teammates as India collapsed from 102/3 to 165/7.
He remained firm on a good batting track, smearing seven fours and four sixes in his 86-ball innings, and especially targeted the raw pace of young Kagiso Rabada, taking four fours and a six off him. Each time the South African bowlers thought they had put the brakes on an otherwise dead batting display, Dhoni rose to the occasion to remind them of his presence.
His strike rate never dipped, though a cluster of wickets fell around him, as Dhoni remained busy in running singles and twos. Three other sixes came off the spinners as India ended on 247/9. When South Africa batted, his bowlers responded to his efforts as India levelled the series 1-1 courtesy of a 22-run win and Dhoni took home a twentieth Man of the Match award.