India vs Pakistan, Pakistan in India ODI Series - 2nd ODI
Date: April 5(2005)
Dhoni's Performance in Match
Catches : 2 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: 148 runs (123 balls), 4s:15 / 6s: 4
Strike rate:120.32
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's maiden international century, a rousing 148 at No. 3, on the back of a typically belligerent 74 from Virender Sehwag, took India to a mammoth 356 for 9 and set up a 58-run win, giving them a 2-0 lead in this six-ODI series. On a heartbreaker of a pitch for bowlers 654 runs were rattled off in 94.1 overs, but most of them were India's, batting first, and the head of pressure this built up on Pakistan proved their undoing.
Dhoni, promoted to No. 3, began with a crunching extra-cover drive, but appeared nervous, picking up boundaries with edges either side of the wicketkeeper, before settling down to show the world exactly what he was capable of. He showed the full face of the bat and drove off front and back foot with power. His intention always seemed to be to play with a straight bat, and this meant that his margin for error was much reduced.
Dhoni's innings was terminated on 148, off only 123 balls. The Indian team stepped out to applaud Dhoni's effort, and the fans cheered lustily, having enjoyed every one of Dhoni's 15 fours and four sixes. The tail then wagged obligingly, taking India to 356, and virtually the shores of victory.
Result:India won by 58 runs
Player of Match: MS Dhoni
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