India’s wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni is very close to achieving a record that Sri Lankan legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan held for several years. Muralitharan currently holds the record for the most number of not outs in international cricket, all 3 formats combined.
Murali has a total of 119 not outs in international cricket; 56 in Tests, 63 in ODIs and 2 in T20Is. MS Dhoni is also currently at par with the former Sri Lankan off-spinner with 119 not outs. The former Indian captain needs one more unbeaten innings to get hold of that record. He has 16, 70 and 33 not outs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is respectively.
The chances of Dhoni achieving the record soon are pretty high as he has 5 ODIs and a T20I to feature in the ongoing Sri Lankan tour. Given his nature of staying until the end and finishing the innings, he might get there soon.
Muralitharan used to bat lower down the order across formats and it happened plenty of times that he was the last man standing. Dhoni has donned the role of a finisher for India for so long and it’s fitting that he holds such a record. He is arguably the best finisher in ODIs of all time and a deserving candidate for the record.
Behind Murali and Dhoni on the list are Shaun Pollock (113 times), Chaminda Vaas (108 times) and Steve Waugh (104 times), all having retired from the game. So at the moment, no one else looks even close to getting there other than Dhoni.
Not only that, Dhoni is also close to another prestigious record. He is just 1 shy of 100 stumpings in ODI cricket. Once he gets there, he will be the first wicketkeeper ever to achieve the milestone.
The current Sri Lanka series is going to be a very important one for the 36-year-old as the selectors have set eyes on his performances. India’s preparation for the 2019 ODI World Cup is already underway and they would be looking to prepare a core team for the illustrious event. Dhoni would certainly want to finish his career with another World Cup victory under his belt.
