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Top 3 Gautam Gambhir And MS Dhoni Partnerships In International Cricket

Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni (X)Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni (X)

The Indian cricket team has been evidently blessed with some great individual team-ups throughout history. Be it the opening combination of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar that clattered bowling attacks during their playing days, or the much-celebrated ‘Spin Quartet’ that dominated international cricket in the 1960s and 1970s.

In a nation’s legacy that lasts nearly a century, one certain batting team-up has been criminally overlooked by cricket enthusiasts and experts alike, that of former captain MS Dhoni and dashing opening batter Gautam Gambhir. During their playing days together, the two cricketers even fetched two World Cups and numerous other bilateral overseas triumphs across all formats. Even as batting partners, both Gambhir and Dhoni reshaped many outcomes through their artistry.

Here at OneCricket, we take a look at three of the greatest batting partnerships put up by Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni for India across all formats.

3. 184* runs vs Sri Lanka, CB Series 2008 in Brisbane

MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir in 2008 (x.com)MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir in 2008 (x.com)

Team India crossed paths with Sri Lanka in match number two of the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia at the Gabba in February 2008. Batting first, the ‘Men in Blue’ slipped to 83-4 despite being favored by a 68-run opening partnership between Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. On the cusp of a major batting collapse, then captain MS Dhoni and number three Gautam Gambhir consolidated the Indian innings with calculated stroke-play and proficient strike-rotation.

Their partnership flourished beyond expectations and took India to a commanding 267-4 by the completion of their 50 overs. Up against the likes of Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and the evergreen Muttiah Muralitharan; Gautam Gambhir compiled a fluent 101* off 102 balls while MS Dhoni blasted 88* from 95. The two belligerent cricketers collectively smeared 15 boundaries and two sixes between them to share an unbroken 184-run stand for the fifth wicket. While the match was abandoned owing to ceaseless rains at the venue, Dhoni and Gambhir’s partnership set up platform of India’s remarkable CB Series triumph later that Australian summer.

2. 188 runs vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI 2009 in Colombo

MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir in Sri Lanka (x.com)MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir in Sri Lanka (x.com)

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, Team India toured Sri Lanka for a five-match ODI series in early 2009. With the series already in the pocket after wins in each of the first three matches, India lost opening batter Virender Sehwag early in the fourth ODI, prompting captain Dhoni to elevate himself up the order.

As it turned out, Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir ended up sharing 188 runs for the second wicket to take the visitors past the 200-run mark. The Indian skipper himself smacked 94 from 96 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Gambhir went on to slap his then career-best ODI score of 150 from 147 balls. Their collective brilliance took India to a colossal 332-5 from 50 overs, and eventually to a 67-run win in the game and a 4-0 lead in the series.

1. 109 runs vs Sri Lanka, World Cup 2011 final in Mumbai

MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir during the 2011 World Cup final (x.com)MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir during the 2011 World Cup final (x.com)

On the evening of April 2 in 2011, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni saved India from the blushes at the grandest stage of them all, the 2011 World Cup. Going up against familiar foes Sri Lanka, Gambhir formed forces with Dhoni after India slipped to 114-3 in a tight chase of 275. With Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli all back in the hut, the perennial duo of Gambhir and Dhoni added 109 runs for the fourth wicket to take India to the cusp of a World title.

The dashing left-handed top-order batter smacked 97 runs with nine boundaries before a blaze of glory accounted for his downfall to Thisara Perera at 223-4. Regardless of Gambhir’s untimely dismissal, MS Dhoni marched on and steered India to World Cup 2011 splendor in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.