Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned back the clock with sublime centuries as India recovered handsomely to smash 381 for six in the second One-day International against England. With India in trouble at 25 for three, Yuvraj (150 off 127 balls) and Dhoni (134 off 122) joined hands to forge a 256-run partnership to put their team in a position of strength from a precarious one. The two veterans used their years of experience to turn the tide for India after England opted to field at a packed Barabati Stadium. Yuvraj was on fire from ball one and hammered 21 fours and three sixes in his career-best knock in ODIs. The southpaw, brought back into the national team, could not have silenced his detractors in a better way as got to his 14th ODI hundred, which was his first since the 2011 World Cup.
It was a typical innings from Dhoni, who took his time initially before cutting loose to tear the opposition bowlers apart. Dhoni too crossed the three figure mark after a while with his last hundred coming way back in 2013 when he struck an unbeaten 139 against Australia at Mohali. He ended up hammering 10 fours and half a dozen sixes, scoring his 10th ODI hundred in the process and first since handing over captaincy to Virat Kohli.
It was raining sixes and fours especially in the last 10 overs with India lapping up 120 runs. And the best bit is that Yuvraj Singh had predicted that two of our favourite legends would let loose. In a viral video shared a week ago, Yuvraj had asked Dhoni: “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog always. Since you’re not captain, are you going to hit more sixes?”
To this Dhoni had replied: “ See, if they bowl in right areas. my areas, and the situation permits, I will hit sixes.” And boy did the situation permit it on Thursday.
Check out the video below:
Dhoni: It’s good to have players like you. It becomes much easier. I’ve enjoyed my 10 years as captain. Hopefully, I’ll enjoy my time as player
Yuvraj: Mahi, you’ve been one of the best captains ever. Would like to tell you that. It’s been amazing playing under you; winning three big championships, and being the number 1 Test team under you.
Dhoni: Thanks to you, I witnessed six sixes; I had the best seat
Yuvraj: Thanks, mate. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog always. Since you’re not captain, are you going to hit more sixes?
Dhoni: See, if they bowl in right areas. my areas, and the situation permits, I will hit sixes.
