Test Cricket - Records between the two World Wars

 

The rivalry continued between the two World Wars, with Australia overtaking England, largely due the Bradman phenomenon. Here Wally Hammond tosses the coin watched by Don Bradman and the legendary Oval groundsman ‘Bosser’ Martin at the start of the final Test in 1938. The exertions of Bosser’s boys and their use of the heaviest of rollers, dubbed ‘Bosser’s Pet’, turned out a pitch on which Len Hutton batted Australia out of the Test with his record-breaking knock of 364 to level the series.

Australia overtook England as the leading team between the two world wars. South Africa were still way behind, followed by new entrants New Zealand and West Indies, all three quite close together. The newest member India brought up the rear.

TEAM PERFORMANCES

Australia - 1920 to 1938, Tests Played 67, Won 36, Lost 16, Drawn 15, Success % 64.92

England - 1920 to 1939, Tests Played 120, Won 41, Lost 30, Drawn 49, Success % 54.58

South Africa - 1921 to 1939, Tests Played 50, Won 7, Lost 20, Drawn 23, Success % 37.00

New Zealand - 1930 to 1937, Tests Played 14, Won 0, Lost 5, Drawn 9, Success % 32.14

West Indies - 1928 to 1939, Tests Played 22, Won 4, Lost 12, Drawn 6, Success % 31.81

India - 1932 to 1936, Tests Played 7, Won 0, Lost 5, Drawn 2, Success % 14.28

(Success % = Won 2 points, Drawn 1 point)

 

HIGHEST TOTALS

903/7d - England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1938

849 - England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

729/6d - Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1930

701 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1934

695 - Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1930

658/8d - England v Australia, Nottingham, 1938

654/5 - England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

636 - England v Australia, Sydney, 1928-29

627/9d - England v Australia, Manchester, 1934

604 - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

600 - Australia v England, Melbourne, 1924-25

 

LOWEST TOTALS

30 - South Africa v England, Birmingham, 1924

36 - South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1931-32

45 - South Africa v Australia, Melbourne, 1931-32

58 - Australia v England, Brisbane, 1936-37

66 - Australia v England, Brisbane, 1928-29

80 - Australia v England, Sydney, 1936-37

90 - West Indies v Australia, Sydney, 1930-31

93 - India v England, Lord’s, London, 1936

97 - West Indies v England, Lord’s, London, 1933

98 - South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 1935-36

99 - West Indies v Australia, Melbourne, 1930-31

 

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Len Hutton - 364, England v Australia, The Oval, London, 1938

Wally Hammond - 336*, England v New Zealand, Auckland, 1932-33

Don Bradman - 334, Australia v England, Leeds, 1930

Andy Sandham - 325, England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

Don Bradman - 304, Australia v England, Leeds, 1934

Don Bradman - 299*, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

George Headley - 270*, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

Don Bradman - 270, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

Bill Ponsford - 266, Australia v England, The Oval, London, 1934

Don Bradman - 254, Australia v England, Lord’s, London, 1930

Wally Hammond - 251, England v Australia, Sydney, 1928-29

 

HUNDRED ON TEST DEBUT

Herbie Collins - 104, Australia v England, Sydney, 1920-21

Bill Ponsford - 110, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Archie Jackson - 164, Australia v England, Adelaide, 1928-29

George Headley - 176, West Indies v England, Bridgetown, 1929-30

Jackie Mills - 117, New Zealand v England, Wellington, 1929-30

Nawab IAK Pataudi - 102, England v Australia, Sydney, 1932-33

Bryan Valentine - 136, England v India, Bombay, 1933-34

Lala Amarnath - 118, India v England, Bombay, 1933-34

Paul Gibb - 106, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1938-39

 

HIGHEST PARTNERSHIP FOR EACH WICKET

1^st Wicket - 283, Jack Hobbs & Herbert Sutcliffe, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1924-25

2^nd Wicket - 451, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v England, The Oval, 1934

3^rd Wicket - 264, Wally Hammond & Len Hutton, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1939

4^th Wicket - 388, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v England, The Oval, 1934

5^th Wicket - 242, Wally Hammond & Leslie Ames, England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1932-33

6^th Wicket - 346, Don Bradman & Jack Fingleton, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

7^th Wicket - 147, Rolph Grant & George Headley, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

8^th Wicket - 246, Leslie Ames & Gubby Allen, England v New Zealand, Lord’s, 1931

9^th Wicket - 137, Eric Dalton & Arthur Langton, South Africa v England, The Oval, 1935

10^th Wicket - 127, Arthur Mailey & Johnny Taylor, Australia v England, Sydney 1924-25

 

OTHER DOUBLE CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS

2^nd Wicket - 382, Len Hutton & Maurice Leyland, England v Australia, The Oval, 1938

2^nd Wicket - 280, Bill Edrich & Paul Gibb, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

1^st Wicket - 276, Charles Dempster & Jackie Mills, New Zealand v England, Wellington, 1929-30

2^nd Wicket - 274, Don Bradman & Bill Woodfull, Australia v South Africa, Melbourne, 1931-32

1^st Wicket - 268, Jack Hobbs & Herbert Sutcliffe, England v South Africa, Lord’s, 1924

4^th Wicket - 266, Wally Hammond & Stan Worthington, England v India, The Oval, 1936

3^rd Wicket - 262, Wally Hammond & Douglas Jardine, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

1^st Wicket - 260, Bruce Mitchell & Jack Siedle, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1930-31

4^th Wicket - 249, Leslie Ames & Andy Sandham, England v West Indies, Kingston, 1929-30

3^rd Wicket - 249, Don Bradman & Stan McCabe, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1936-37

4^th Wicket - 248, Len Hutton & Dennis Compton, England v West Indies, Lord’s, 1939

3^rd Wicket - 245, Frank Woolley & Bob Wyatt, England v South Africa, Manchester, 1929

3^rd Wicket - 245, Wally Hammond & Joe Hardstaff jr, England v New Zealand, Lord’s, 1937

4^th Wicket - 243, Don Bradman & Archie Jackson, Australia v England, The Oval, 1930

3^rd Wicket - 242, Wally Hammond & Eddie Paynter, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

4^th Wicket - 237, Leslie Ames & Patsy Hendren, England v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1929-30

2^nd Wicket - 235, Charlie Macartney & Bill Woodfull, Australia v England, Leeds, 1926

1^st Wicket - 233, Bill Brown & Jack Fingleton, Australia v South Africa, Cape Town, 1935-36

2^nd Wicket - 231, Don Bradman & Bill Woodfull, Australia v England, Lord’s, 1930

2^nd Wicket - 230, Herbert Sutcliffe & Ernest Tyldesley, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

3^rd Wicket - 229, Don Bradman & Alan Kippax, Australia v England, Leeds, 1930

2^nd Wicket - 229, Don Bradman & Bill Ponsford, Australia v West Indies, Brisbane, 1930-31

2^nd Wicket - 227, George Headley & Karl Nunes, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1929-30

4^th Wicket - 222, Wally Hammond & Eddie Paynter, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1938

4^th Wicket - 221, Herbert Sutcliffe & Wally Hammond, England v South Africa, Birmingham, 1929

1^st Wicket - 219, Len Hutton & Charlie Barnett, England v Australia, Birmingham, 1938

2^nd Wicket - 215, Bill Woodfull & Stork Hendry, Australia v England, Sydney, 1928-29

6^th Wicket - 215, Len Hutton & Joe Hardstaff jr, England v Australia, The Oval, 1938

4^th Wicket - 214, Hubert Deane & Herbie Taylor, South Africa v England, The Oval, 1929

3^rd Wicket - 209, Herbie Collins & Jack Gregory, Australia v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1921-22

4^th Wicket - 206, Charlie Frank & Dave Nourse, South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 1921-22

5^th Wicket - 206, Dennis Compton & Eddie Paynter, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1938

1^st Wicket - 203, Vijay Merchant & Mushtaq Ali, India v England, Manchester, 1936

3^rd Wicket - 202, George Headley & Derek Sealy, West Indies v England, Kingston, 1934-35

2^nd Wicket - 200, George Headley & Ivan Barrow, West Indies v England, Manchester, 1933

 

BEST BOWLING IN AN INNINGS

Arthur Mailey - 9 for 121, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

Hedley Verity - 8 for 43, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Jack White - 8 for 126, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

Bert Ironmonger - 7 for 23, Australia v West Indies, Melbourne, 1930-31

George Bissett - 7 for 29, South Africa v England, Durban, 1927-28

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 40, Australia v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1935-36

Hedley Verity - 7 for 49, England v India, Madras, 1933-34

Eric Hollies - 7 for 50, England v West Indies, Georgetown, 1934-35

Bill O’Reilly - 7 for 54, Australia v England, Nottingham, 1934

James Langridge - 7 for 56, England v West Indies, Manchester, 1933

Hedley Verity - 7 for 61, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Alfred Hall - 7 for 63, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Jack Gregory - 7 for 69, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

George Geary - 7 for 70, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

Bill Voce - 7 for 70, England v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1929-30

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman - 7 for 71, England v South Africa, Manchester, 1929

Frank Woolley - 7 for 76, England v West Indies, Wellington, 1929-30

Gubby Allen - 7 for 80, England v India, The Oval, 1936

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 83, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Lala Amar Singh - 7 for 86, India v England, Madras, 1933-34

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 87, Australia v West Indies, Adelaide, 1930-31

Percival Hornibrook - 7 for 92, Australia v England, The Oval, 1930

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 100, Australia v South Africa, Durban, 1935-36

AP ‘Tich’ Freeman - 7 for 115, England v South Africa, Leeds, 1929

Clarrie Grimmett - 7 for 116, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Bill O’Reilly - 7 for 189, Australia v England, Manchester, 1934

 

BEST BOWLING IN A MATCH

Hedley Verity - 15 for 104, England v Australia, Lord’s, 1934

Clarrie Grimmett - 14 for 199, Australia v South Africa, Adelaide, 1931-32

Clarrie Grimmett - 13 for 173, Australia v South Africa, Durban, 1935-36

Arthur Mailey - 13 for 236, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1920-21

Jack White - 13 for 256, England v Australia, Adelaide, 1928-29

 

FIVE WICKETS IN AN INNINGS ON TEST DEBUT

James Langridge - 7 for 56, England v West Indies, Manchester, 1933

Alfred Hall - 7 for 63, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Clarrie Grimmett - 6 for 37, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Charles Marriott - 6 for 59, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Alexander Bell - 6 for 99, South Africa v England, Lord’s, 1929

Francis Ward - 6 for 102, Australia v England, Brisbane, 1936-37

George Parker - 6 for 152, South Africa v England, Birmingham, 1924

Cedric Smith - 5 for 16, England v West Indies, Bridgetown, 1934-35

Wally Hammond - 5 for 36, England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1927-28

George Bissett - 5 for 37, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1927-28

Charles Marriott - 5 for 37, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Maurice Allom - 5 for 38, England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1929-30

Clarrie Grimmett - 5 for 45, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Henry Promnitz - 5 for 58, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1927-28

George Macaulay - 5 for 64, England v South Africa, Cape Town, 1922-23

Tim Wall - 5 for 66, Australia v England, Melbourne, 1928-29

Ken Farnes - 5 for 77, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

William Copson - 5 for 85, England v West Indies, Lord’s, 1939

Mohammad Nissar - 5 for 93, India v England, Lord’s, 1932

Reginald Perks - 5 for 100, England v South Africa, Durban, 1938-39

Ken Farnes - 5 for 102, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

Norman Gordon - 5 for 103, South Africa v England, Johannesburg, 1938-39

                                                                                                    

TEN WICKETS IN A MATCH ON TEST DEBUT

Clarrie Grimmett - 11 for 82, Australia v England, Sydney, 1924-25

Charles Marriott - 11 for 96, England v West Indies, The Oval, 1933

Alfred Hall - 11 for 112, South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

Ken Farnes - 10 for 179, England v Australia, Nottingham, 1934

 

HAT-TRICKS

Maurice Allom - England v New Zealand, Christchurch, 1929-30

Tom Goddard - England v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1938-39

 

MOST CATCHES BY A FIELDER

Wally Hammond (England) - Tests 77, Catches 101

Bruce Mitchell (South Africa) - Tests 32, Catches 44

Stan McCabe (Australia) - Tests 39, Catches 41

Jack Gregory (Australia) - Tests 24, Catches 37

Frank Woolley (England) - Tests 42, Catches 36

Patsy Hendren (England) - Tests 51, Catches 33

Percy Chapman (England) - Tests 26, Catches 32

Hedley Verity (England) - Tests 40, Catches 30

# In addition, Frank Woolley took 1 catch as wicketkeeper

Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Shikhar Dhawan

 Belligerent and jovial southpaw opener

How much India missed Shikhar Dhawan in the 2019 semi-final, we will never know, had injury not forced him out of the tournament after a brilliant century.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 10, Innings 10, Not Out -, Highest Score 137, Runs 537, Average 53.70, Strike-rate 94.21, 100s 3, 50s 1, Catches 7

Shikhar Dhawan has been Rohit Sharma’s long-time opening partner in One-day Internationals. A study in contrast, they complement each other well. Apart from the obvious left-right combination, while one is belligerent and forthright, the other has a silken touch and is seemingly laidback. Ever ready to break into a smile, the slap on the thigh after taking a catch has become as much of a hallmark as the salute by Sheldon Cottrell after taking a wicket. There is always a sense of fun when Dhawan is around, and he can score serious runs too.

Walking out with Rohit, facing Pakistan on World Cup debut in 2015, it was a quiet start. The partnership did not go further than 34 off 7.3 overs. Rohit fell for 15. There was steady progress with the arrival of Virat Kohli, the fifty of the partnership coming up in 10.1 overs. With the increase in tempo, Dhawan went to his half-century off 54 deliveries. The century of the stand was raised in 18.3 overs. Unfortunately, Dhawan was run out. His splendid 73 had come off 76 balls, having struck a six and 7 fours. The partnership yielded 129 runs in 22.2 overs. There was another century stand between Kohli (107) and Suresh Raina (74). India scored a round 300 for the loss of seven wickets. Pakistan were slow to begin with, then lost quick wickets, and were finally all out for 224.

It was Rohit’s turn to be run out and that, tragically, for a duck as A.B. de Villiers’ throw from the covers hit the stumps. It was again Kohli in tandem with Dhawan. Gradually, they picked up momentum in the face of steady bowling by the Proteas. The fifty of the partnership was posted in 11.5 overs. Dhawan raised his half-century off 70 balls. Dhawan struck Wayne Parnell for two consecutive fours bringing up the century stand in 20.3 overs, a successive one between the pair. Kohli pulled a short one from Imran Tahir into the hands of mid-wicket. His 46 had come off 60 deliveries with the aid of three boundaries. The partnership had realised 127 runs in 24.2 overs. As the new man Ajinkya Rahane got into his stride, Dhawan glided Parnell to the ropes at point to raise his maiden World Cup hundred off 122 balls. Soon the fifty of the partnership was up in 8.1 overs. With runs flowing freely, the century stand in 13.4 overs and Rahane’s half-century off just 40 deliveries came off successive balls. Dhawan was caught at long-leg off Parnell. His 137 was the highest score against South Africa in the World Cup, spanning 146 balls and studded with 2 sixes and 14 fours. It was a 125-run association from 16.3 overs. Rahane scored 79, having faced 60 balls and struck 3 sixes and 7 fours. India, this time, posted 307 for seven. South Africa did not put up much resistance, being bowled out for 177. Dhawan bagged the man-of-the-match prize.

India trounced United Arab Republic by nine wickets but Dhawan was caught at backward-point for 14.

Both Dhawan (9) and Rohit (7) fell early as India made heavy weather of a target of 183 set by the West Indies. They eventually pulled off a six-wicket win.

They were both due for runs, and they duly got them. Ireland scored 259 runs, being bowled out in 49 overs. India’s batting was brilliant. The fifty was registered off 8.2 overs. The century was raised in 14.1 overs. Dhawan was first to his fifty off 54 balls. Rohit hoisted his half-century in style, having faced 49 deliveries. The 150 was up off 20.1 overs. Dhawan was speeding away. Rohit, though, played on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls, having hit 3 sixes and 3 fours. The partnership realised 174 runs, record for India for the first wicket in the World Cup. Dhawan breezed to his century from just 84 deliveries. But he was caught in the covers off the very next ball that he faced, having blasted 5 sixes and 11 fours. Kohli (44 not out) and Rahane (33 not out) carried India to an eight-wicket victory off only 36.5 overs with an unbroken stand of 70. Dhawan won another man-of-the-match award.

A superb century by skipper Brendan Taylor, a consecutive one to boot, enabled Zimbabwe to post a challenging total of 287. India lost four wickets for 92 in 22.4 overs, including Rohit (16) and Dhawan (4), both to Tinashe Panyangara. But a tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh Raina (110 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out) carried India to a four-wicket triumph with 8 balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership in a run-chase, bettering the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit against Ireland in the previous match. India’s score of 288 was their highest batting second in the World Cup, and they joined New Zealand as the only teams to win all their six pool matches.

Boundaries came regularly at the start in the quarter-final face-off with Bangladesh. Rohit and Dhawan raised the fifty in 9.3 overs. They were cantering along when Dhawan stepped out at the sight of Shakib Al Hasan, was deceived in the air and stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim. His 30 had come off 50 balls with the aid of 3 fours. The partnership had realised 75 runs in 16.3 overs. The platform had been built. Rohit went on to score a brilliant 137 (126 balls, 3 sixes, 14 fours). His fourth-wicket stand of 122 in 15.5 overs with Suresh Raina spurred India to a formidable total of 302 for six. Bangladesh were hardly in the picture with a series of cameos and finally folded up for 193.

A superb century by Steve Smith and his defining 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch seized the initiative for Australia. A total of 328 for seven assumes gigantic proportions in a World Cup knock-out encounter. As long as Rohit and Dhawan were together, it looked as though they were making a fight of it. After a cautious start, they picked up pace. They raised the fifty off 9.5 overs. It was all going well, and it all went wrong! Dhawan was caught in the covers off Josh Hazlewood. His 45 was scored off 41 balls with the aid of a six and 6 fours. The stand was worth 76 in 12.5 overs. Wickets began tumbling, Kohli for 1, Rohit for 34, Raina for 7. In the blink of an eye, India were 108 for four in 23 overs. Rahane (44) and Dhoni (65) did put on 70 in 13.2 overs but the momentum had been lost, and too many wickets had fallen. India folded up for 233. A golden streak of 11 consecutive World Cup wins had ended.

It was a fine tournament for Dhawan. He became the fourth Indian to score 400-plus runs in a single World Cup, the others being Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. His 412 runs in 8 matches came at an average of 51.50, and strike-rate of 91.75, with 2 centuries and a half-century.

It was a fine start for India in 2019, restricting South Africa to 227 for nine. Dhawan, though, was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada for 8. Rohit went on to score a splendid 122 (144 balls, 2 sixes, 13 fours), and India sailed to a six-wicket triumph.

Batting first against Australia, Rohit and Dhawan were off to a steady start. A boundary each off Adam Zampa took the score past 50 in 11.3 overs. The boundaries kept coming. Dhawan raised his fifty off 53 balls. The hundred of the innings was up in 19 overs. Rohit was caught at the wicket off Coulter-Nile for 57, having faced 70 balls and hit a six and 3 fours. The partnership had realised 127 runs in 22.3 overs. Joined by Kohli, Dhawan blazed on. The fifty of their stand arrived in 8.3 overs. Dhawan raised his hundred from 94 balls. Trying to hit Mitchell Starc over mid-wicket, he was caught near the ropes. It was a fine 117, spanning 109 deliveries and studded with 16 boundaries. The stand fell short of 100 by just 7 runs, having lasted 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 82, and India piled up 352 for five. It was a tall task, the Aussies were in hot pursuit but produced no really big innings. They finished on 316.

Just as India were celebrating a glorious win over the reigning champions, and complimenting Dhawan for his terrific century, came the sobering news that he had injured his thumb during that innings, and was ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Feel for you Shikhar. You were playing well & to be injured in the middle of such an important tournament is heartbreaking. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger than ever.” How much his injury affected India’s chances, we will never know. Maybe his presence in the semi-final might have helped, but that broad smile was certainly missed. Dhawan has 537 runs in his 10-match stint in the World Cup with an average of 53.70 and strike-rate of 94.21 runs per 100 balls, with 3 hundreds and a fifty. The combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma provided many a memorable moment at the top of the order.

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Rohit Sharma

Nonchalant strokeplay, record five hundreds in a single World Cup

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 17, Innings 17, Not Out 2, Highest Score 140, Runs 978, Average 65.20, Strike-rate 95.97, 100s 6, 50s 3, Catches 7

What does one say about a man who scores three double centuries in One-day Internationals (ODIs) with a record 264, by a long way, to his name, and one who hits up five hundreds in a single World Cup. Just ten double hundreds have been scored in over half a century of ODIs, all since 2010, and no one else has managed more than one. Suddenly, in 2019 Rohit equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six hundreds in the World Cup. There was always something special about Rohit. His sublime strokeplay, almost casual, David Gower like, endeared him to everyone. His lofted pull became his hallmark, earning him loads of sixes with the occasional dismissal. For what seemed ages, his innate God-given abilities did not translate into results expected of them. Then, like Tendulkar, he was given a spot at the top of the order and he flowered. Still, someone with his flair and natural gifts was not making headway at the Test level. Again, he was given the opener’s role, and he was off the blocks. A hugely successful IPL captain, Rohit Sharma found his way to the helm of the national side. He finally settled where he was always ordained. 

His World Cup debut was the high intensity contest with Pakistan. Rohit raised 34 with Shikhar Dhawan in 7.3 overs. But on 15 he attempted his favourite pull shot off Sohail Khan; this time he miscued and the ball went sailing into the hands of mid-off. Virat Kohli (107) was associated in two century stands with Dhawan (73) and Suresh Raina (74). India set up a challenging 300 for seven. Pakistan were not up to it, and folded up for 224.

Disaster struck as Rohit was run out for a duck by a direct hit from A.B. de Villiers. This time Dhawan (137) conjured hundred partnerships with Kohli (46) and Ajinkya Rahane (79). India hit up 377. South Africa could muster only 177.

There was no challenge from the United Arab Emirates. They collapsed to 102 all out. After the early departure of Dhawan, Rohit and Kohli brought up victory with an unbroken stand of 75. Rohit was on the attack. They raised the half-century of the partnership in 8.2 overs. Rohit got to his maiden World Cup fifty in 48 balls. They cruised on, and finally Rohit clubbed a four to reach the target in 18.5 overs. He returned with 57 runs to his name off 55 deliveries, having struck a six and 10 fours. Kohli scored 33 in 41 balls with five boundaries.

Had it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, West Indies would have been in far worse plight than they eventually were. Coming in at 85 for seven, he was last out with his side’s total on 182. But their bowlers hit back. Rohit was caught at the wicket, trying to drive, with his score on just 7. Wickets fell regularly, and at one stage they found themselves at 134 for six. An unbroken half-century stand between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin saw them home.

Ireland did well to post 259. But the Indian openers made light of it. Rohit and Dhawan took turns in hitting boundaries. The fifty of the stand came in the 9^th over. They accelerated, the century partnership being registered in 14.1 overs. Dhawan reached his fifty from 54 balls. Rohit raised his own half-century off 49 deliveries with a six high over covers. With more fireworks, the 150 was on the board in just 20.1 overs. Dhawan was racing away; Rohit, though, played on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls with the aid of 3 sixes and 3 fours. The stand realised 174 runs, the highest for India for the first wicket in the World Cup, in only 23.2 overs. Shikhar Dhawan brought up his hundred off just 84 balls. He was caught in the covers off the very next delivery that he faced, having slammed 5 sixes and 11 fours. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane carried India to victory with an unbroken stand of 70.

A tremendous hundred by skipper Brendan Taylor (138 runs, 110 balls) and his fifth-wicket century partnership with Craig Ervine were instrumental in Zimbabwe posting a total of 287. India slumped to 92 for four in 22.4 overs, Rohit being caught in the covers for 16. Then came a superb unbroken stand of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh Raina (110 not out, 104 balls) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out, 76 balls). They took India home with 8 deliveries to spare. India joined New Zealand as the only teams to win all their six pool matches.

The silken touch of Rohit Sharma was in full evidence in the quarter-final as they took on Bangladesh. He drove the first ball of the match from Mashrafe Mortaza to the cover-point fence. With both he and Dhawan finding the boundary regularly, the fifty came up in 9.3 overs. Dhawan was stumped for 30. The partnership yielded 75 runs off 16.3 overs. Rohit got to his half-century off 70 deliveries. Suresh Raina joined forces for the fourth-wicket. He raised the fifty of the stand in style, lofting Shakib Al Hasan over long-on for a six. It came off 8.1 overs. Rohit was cruising serenely, the singles interrupted by the intermittent boundary. Raina reached his half-century in 46 balls. In the same over, the hundred of the partnership was posted off only 13 overs. Soon, Rohit raised his century, his first in the World Cup, from 108 deliveries. Raina hit out at Mashrafe, but the ball gained only height, no distance, and when it came down, it settled in Mushfiqur Rahim’s gloves. His 65 had come off 57 balls, studded with a six and 7 fours. It was a splendid 122-run stand that spanned 15.5 overs. Rohit raised the tempo. He finally edged on to the stumps. It was a delightful innings, 137 runs from 126 balls, embellished with 3 sixes and 14 fours. India hoisted 302 for six. Bangladesh did not offer much resistance, being bowled out for 193. Rohit was man-of-the-match.     

Australia posted a daunting 328 for seven in the semi-final, courtesy Steve Smith’s brilliant century and his 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch. Rohit and Dhawan began steadily, and then raised the tempo. That brought up the fifty in 9.5 overs. Just as it seemed that India’s innings had taken off well, Dhawan was caught in the covers off Josh Hazlewood. His 45 had come off 41 balls with the aid of a six and 6 fours. Kohli fell for 1. Then Rohit pulled Johnson for a six. Johnson pitched the next one up and brought it in sharply. Rohit edged it on to the stumps. He was gone for 34, having faced 48 deliveries and hit 2 sixes and a four. From then on, India were fading despite a 70-run stand between Rahane and Dhoni. The reigning champions were all out for 233, bowing out of the tournament.

Without being brilliant, it was a successful foray in the World Cup by Rohit. He hit a characteristically sublime century in the quarter-final and a couple of other fifties. His 330 runs in 8 matches came at an average of 47.14 and strike-rate of 91.66. It was another impressive chapter in the opening duet with Dhawan.

Rohit was in an entirely different zone in the 2019 tournament. South Africa continued to struggle in this event and were able to put up just 227 for nine. While Rohit played a resolute knock, there were only cameos at the other end. Dhawan was caught behind early off Kagiso Rabada. Rohit was in full flow but Kohli too parted ways after a brief stay. K.L. Rahul dug in. Rohit raised his half-century from 70 deliveries. He was now in control. Soon they brought up the fifty of the stand in 10.5 overs. Rahul holed out at mid-off off Rabada for 26. The partnership was worth 85 in 16 overs. With Dhoni having joined in, Rohit hoisted his hundred off 128 balls. The half-century of the partnership arrived in 11.2 overs. Dhoni left after scoring 34, the fourth-wicket stand yielding 74 runs from 14.4 overs. Victory was ushered in the company of a trigger-happy Hardik Pandya. Man-of-the-match Rohit was unbeaten with 122, having been at the crease for 144 deliveries and fired 2 sixes and 13 fours.   

It was a superb showing by India in the face-off with the holders, Australia. Rohit and Dhawan were off to a cautious start before the latter broke free. They raised the half-century in 11.3 overs. Dhawan went to his own fifty off 53 balls. The hundred partnership was posted in 19 overs. A square-cut to the fence took Rohit to his half-century from 61 deliveries. He nicked one from Coulter-Nile that took off and was caught at the wicket by Alex Carey. Hit 57 occupied 70 balls and comprised a six and 3 fours. It was a splendid stand of 127 runs in 22.3 overs. Dhawan went on to hit up 117 (109 balls, 16 fours). India piled up 352 for five. There were a number of fine knocks from the Aussies but no really big one. The target was far too huge, and they were all out for 316 off the last delivery of the innings.

The match with New Zealand was washed out. After the massive build-up, the face-off with Pakistan was a tame affair. Dhawan’s fine century against Australia turned into a bitter-sweet one. During that knock he suffered a thumb injury, which unfortunately put him out of the tournament. It was K.L. Rahul who now opened with Rohit. The fifty came up in 10 overs. Rohit darted to his own half-century off 34 deliveries. The hundred was raised from 17.3 overs. Rahul brought up his fifty in 69 balls. As they were pressing on, Rahul was caught in the covers. His 57 occupied 78 deliveries, hitting 2 sixes and 3 fours. The partnership of 136 runs in 23.5 overs had set up the match nicely for India. Joined by Kohli, Rohit hoisted his century off 85 deliveries. The fifty of the partnership arrived in 8 overs. Rohit was caught at short fine-leg off Hasan Ali for 140. His superb innings spanned 113 balls, embellished with 3 sixes and 14 fours. The stand was worth 98 in 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 77 (65 balls, 7 fours) as India logged up 336 for five. With rain playing a part, Pakistan’s target was 302 from 40 overs. All they could manage was 212 for six.

Rohit was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for just 1, as Afghanistan restricted India to 224 for eight. Afghanistan were dismissed for 213, with Mohammed Shami taking a hat-trick.

Kemar Roach brought one in, which took a fine inside-edge of Rohit’s bat on the way to Shai Hope. This time he scored 18. India posted 268. West Indies crumbled to 143 all out.

Hosts England put up a formidable 337 for seven. India’s task became difficult with Rahul dismissed without scoring. Kohli, though, was an able ally. The progress was slow, considering the task before them. The half-century of the partnership took 13.5 overs. Kohli was first to his fifty, having faced 59 deliveries. Rohit got to his half-century in 65 balls. The hundred partnership arrived 20.4 overs. The two matched each other stroke-for-stroke. Kohli was caught at backward point. His 66 came off 76 balls with the aid of 7 fours. With Rishabh Pant for company, Rohit raised his third century of the tournament, having taken on 106 deliveries. But after facing three more balls, he was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Chris Woakes for 102, having carved out 15 boundaries. There were rapid-fire cameos from Pant, Hardik Pandya and Dhoni, but India could get only as far as 306 for five, a fine effort but in vain.  

If evidence were required that Rohit was in supreme form, it came in the first over of the encounter with Bangladesh. He pulled Mashrafe Mortaza for a six beyond square-leg. Rahul too was stroking well. They raised the fifty in 8.2 overs. In the following over, both took turns in hammering boundaries off Mortaza. Rohit soon breezed to his half-century from 45 deliveries. The hundred came up in 17.2 overs. A straight six by Rohit posted the 150 off 23.1 overs. Crashing Shakib through the off-side to the pickets, Rohit went to his fourth hundred in this World Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. He had faced 90 deliveries. It was a consecutive ton, following his 102 against England. Soon, he was caught in the covers, his 104 composed of 5 sixes and 7 fours. The 180-run partnership spanned 29.2 overs. Rahul scored 77 (92 balls, 1 six, 6 fours). India hit up 314 for nine. There was a spirited chase by Bangladesh but they were all out for 286. Rohit won the man-of-the-match award.

A fine partnership of 124 runs for the fifth wicket between Angelo Mathews (113) and Lahiru Thirimanne (53) enabled Sri Lanka to score 264 for seven. Rohit and Rahul seemed inseparable. The half-century was posted in a matter of 6.5 overs. The first of two sixes took Rohit past fifty off 48 deliveries. The hundred of the innings was up in 18.1 overs. Rahul brought up his half-century in 67 balls. The 150 was reached in 24.4 overs. Rohit hoisted an unprecedented fifth century in a World Cup, being at the crease for 92 deliveries. It was his third successive hundred, and it equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six tons in all the World Cup tournaments put together. It was a tremendous show by Rohit Sharma, to the jubilation of his teammates and the Indian supporters. He was out soon, driving into the hands of mid-off. His 103 spanned 94 balls, punctuated by 2 sixes and 14 fours. The partnership yielded 189 runs in 30.1 overs. Rahul went on to score 111 (118 balls, 1 six, 11 fours; India cantered to a seven-wicket victory. Rohit bagged a consecutive man-of-the-match prize, fourth in this World Cup, equalling the feats of Aravinda de Silva in 1996, Lance Klusener in 1999 and Yuvraj Singh in 2011. India topped the ten-team table, edging reigning champions Australia to second place.

New Zealand posted 239 for eight in the semi-final. India’s fond hopes were dashed by the Kiwi pacemen. Rohit, Kohli and Rahul were dismissed for 1 run each by Matt Henry and Trent Boult. The stunned silence in the dressing room turned into dismay as India found themselves six down in 30.3 overs. There was a fighting partnership of 116 runs in 17.2 overs for the seventh wicket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50 off 72 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 59 balls) but there was just too much to do from the precarious position they had found themselves in. India were bowled out for 221, bowing out of the World Cup in the semi-final for the second time in a row. “We failed to deliver as a team when it mattered, 30 minutes of poor cricket yesterday & that snatched away our chance for the cup,” tweeted a dejected Rohit.

Personally, it was a superb tournament for Rohit Sharma. His aggregate of 648 runs was the highest, averaging 81 in 9 matches at a strike-rate of 98.33. The record five hundreds, four man-of-the-match awards, and rousing opening partnerships with Dhawan and Rahul made it a memorable event for him. Rohit is just 22 runs short of the 1,000 runs mark in the premier tournament, having played 17 matches, averaging 65.20 at 95.97 runs per 100 balls, and holding the joint record of six centuries. Now at the helm of the Indian team, there is much to look forward to for Rohit Sharma when the World Cup is contested at home in 2023.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick of Home Wins’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

 Inspirational captain, one of the greats of modern cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a winner all the way.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING AND WICKETKEEPING: Matches 29, Innings 25, Not Out 7, Highest Score 91*, Runs 780, Average 43.33, Strike-rate 89.96, 50s 5, Catches 34, Stumpings 8 

From a blazing-hot long-haired top-order striker, the metamorphosis of Mahendra Singh Dhoni along the way to a canny finisher, Captain Cool to adoring millions, was remarkable. His place as an all-time great wicketkeeper-batsman is secure, as is his slot among the most successful leaders in all formats of the game. He led India to the title in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, saw the side climb to no. 1 spot in Test matches, and won the 2011 One-day World Cup. No legend of the sport is as unassuming and matter-of-fact about his fabulous achievements as is MS. Success rests lightly on his shoulders. True to type, his departure from the international scene was as subtle, and with no flourish, as the man himself.

Though he was out for a duck in the upset by Bangladesh on first appearance in the 2007 World Cup, Dhoni caught Tamim Iqbal, and stumped Shakib Al Hasan and the captain Habibul Bashar. As India made merry off the friendly Bermuda bowling, Dhoni hit 29 off 25 deliveries and took a catch to send back the burly Dwayne Leverock. With the side struggling to stay in the competition, Dhoni caught three Sri Lankan batsmen but was dismissed for another duck. It was a disastrous tournament for India, knocked out in the first stage.

The tide had turned at home in 2011. Dhoni had risen rapidly to assume captaincy, and India were one of the strong favourites. India piled up 370 for four off the Bangla attack, with Dhoni not getting his turn to bat. Though the Bangladesh batsmen put up strong resistance, the target was far beyond their reach. Dhoni had a stumping to his name.

 In the thrilling high-scoring tie with England, Dhoni hit a rapid-fire 31 off 25 balls, striking a six and 3 fours. He added 69 for the fourth wicket with Yuvraj Singh in 7.4 overs. They were out within a ball of each other. With the last five wickets falling in a heap after their departure, India were a bit disappointed that they did not get more than 338, and could not build on Sachin Tendulkar’s superb 120 (115 balls, 5 sixes, 10 fours). With skipper Andrew Strauss leading the way with a brilliant 158 (145 balls, 1 six, 18 fours), England finished on the same score with eight wickets down.

 India overcame Ireland with relative ease, Dhoni pouching three catches in a total of 207. With four wickets down for 100 in 23.4 overs, Dhoni combined once again with Yuvraj, putting on 67 in 16.3 overs. He scored a restrained 34 from 68 deliveries, hitting two boundaries. Yuvraj (50 not out) brought up victory in an unfinished stand of 43 with Yusuf Pathan (30 not out) in 5.5 overs.

 It was a similar outing with Holland. Dhoni took a catch and was a participant in two run outs in a score of 189. He was once more in tandem with Yuvraj, ushering in a five-wicket win in an unbroken partnership of 52 in 13.2 overs. Yuvraj was unbeaten with 51 and Dhoni with 19.

Once again, after a magnificent 111 (101 balls, 3 sixes, 8 fours) by Tendulkar, the lower-order capsized against South Africa. Dhoni was a bystander as the last five wickets crashed for 16 runs in 5.4 overs, with another 1.2 overs remaining. He returned in disbelief, 12 not out against his name as Dale Steyn did the damage with five for 50 in 9.4 overs. In fact, when Tendulkar was out, the score was 267 for two in 39.4 overs. From there India collapsed to 296 all out in 48.4 overs. The Proteas were solid through the order and broke away to register an exciting three-wicket victory with just two deliveries to spare. If only the lower half of the Indian batting had held out a bit longer! Dhoni registered a catch, a run out and a stumping.

India needed to regroup. Spurred by a fine hundred by Yuvraj (113 runs, 123 balls, 2 sixes, 10 fours), India posted 268 but again being bowled out inside the 50 overs. Dhoni and Yuvraj put on 45 for the fourth wicket in 9.2 overs. Dhoni scored 22 off 30 deliveries. West Indies were dismissed for 188, with Dhoni having a stumping to his name.

The quarter-final was a battle of prestige as Australia looked for their fourth straight title, their long unbeaten streak going back to 1999 already breached by Pakistan in their previous match. A hundred of sheer class by skipper Ricky Ponting (104 runs, 118 balls, 1 six, 7 fours), enabled the Aussies to post 260 for six. Some determined batting through the order by India saw them home by five wickets with 14 balls to spare. Dhoni, though, was dismissed for 7.

The sizzling, red-hot semi-final against Pakistan was played on a dodgy Mohali pitch. Sachin Tendulkar scored a fortuitous 85 (115 balls, 11 fours) as India posted 260 for nine. Dhoni put together 25 runs off 42 balls, adding a valuable 46 with Tendulkar in 11.3 overs. Pakistan put up a game bid but kept falling behind on the run-rate. They were eventually bowled out for 231 in 49.5 overs with the wickets shared equally by the five bowlers. Dhoni snapped up a catch.

 

The final at the Wankhede Stadium was a closely-contested faceoff. A tremendous unbeaten 103 (88 balls, 13 fours) by Mahela Jayawardene spurred Sri Lanka to hoist 274 for six. If would be the highest winning score in a World Cup final if India were to achieve it. There was disbelief as Virender Sehwag was trapped leg-before by Lasith Malinga off the second delivery for a duck. Then in the seventh over, there was stunned silence as Tendulkar edged Malinga into the gloves of skipper Kumar Sangakkara. It was 31 for two, and Tendulkar gone for 18. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli put on 83 in 15.3 overs.

Then there was the stirring sight of captain Dhoni striding out briskly, promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj, to join Gambhir. It was a defining moment in the match. Having settled down, they began striking the boundaries. Dhoni slammed Muttiah Muralitharan through the covers to the fence, reaching his half-century from 52 deliveries. The century partnership came up in 17.5 overs. Just when it seemed that they were sailing, Gambhir had a rush of blood. He dashed out to Thisara Perera, had a big swing, missed and was castled. His superb 97 had come off 122 balls, embellished with 9 fours. They had put on 109 in 19.4 overs. There were now 52 runs to get in 8.4 overs as Yuvraj walked in. Dhoni slashed Perera high above point for a six. They struck a four each in the 47th over off Nuwan Kulasekara. In the next over Dhoni found the pickets at square-leg off two successive deliveries from Malinga. There were now only 7 runs required from 15 balls. The roar of excitement in the stadium could be heard a long distance away. And then with 4 needed in 11 deliveries, in a moment frozen in eternity, Dhoni swung Kulasekara high over long-on for a six. Wankhede Stadium erupted, as did all of India, and all Indians around the globe. India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil. Dhoni returned triumphant with 91 to his name, having faced just 79 balls and hammered 2 sixes and 8 fours. He was man-of-the-match. Player-of-the-tournament Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten with 21 off 24 balls, having struck 2 fours. It was an exhilarating night as Dhoni lifted the gleaming ICC Trophy.

The opening clash for the defending champions in 2015 was against arch-rivals Pakistan. Virat Kohli’s hundred and his century partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina carried India to 300 for seven. Dhoni scored 18 off 13 balls with a six and a four. Once Pakistan had lost five wickets for 103 at almost the half-way stage, they were never in the hunt. They folded up for 224. There were three catches for Dhoni.

It was Dhawan’s ton against the Proteas and his three-figure stands with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane that took India to 307 for seven. Dhoni again got 18 runs, this time from 11 deliveries containing three boundaries, South Africa were bowled out for 177. Dhoni was involved in two run outs.

India skittled United Arab Emirates for 102, the lowest they dismissed a side for in the World Cup. Dhoni caught both the openers. India cruised to a nine-wicket win in 18.5 overs.

West Indies were bowled out for 182. Had it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, their plight would have been much worse. Dhoni pouched two catches. India were in some strife at 78 for four after 17.5 overs when Dhoni walked in. There were two brief partnerships with Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, and then an unbroken 51-run stand in 9.4 overs with Ravichandran Ashwin that carried the side to victory. Dhoni was unbeaten with 45, having faced 56 deliveries and struck a six off Andre Russell and 3 fours.   

The Irish posted a respectable 259 in 49 overs. Dhoni caught two of them. With Dhawan hitting another century, India ran away with the game, winning by eight wickets in a mere 36.5 overs. With 12 victories in World Cup matches, Dhoni overtook Kapil Dev’s mark of 11 wins as captain.

Brendan Taylor’s consecutive hundred, a brilliant 138 in 110 balls with 5 sixes and 15 fours, spurred Zimbabwe to a formidable total of 287 in 48.5 overs. Dhoni was not to be left out of the action with two early catches. There was a tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Raina and Dhoni after India had slumped to 92 for four in 22.4 overs. Dhoni got into the groove with two successive boundaries off Solomon Mire on either side of the wicket. With the required rate climbing to almost 10, there was a spate of sixes and fours. The century stand came in 16.5 overs. Dhoni raised his half-century off 56 deliveries. Raina sped to his hundred in 94 balls. Dhoni slammed Tawanda Mupariwa for a six over long-on and a four to long-leg off successive balls. And then he banged a short one from Tinashe Panyangara over square-leg to bring up victory with eight balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership in a run-chase, bettering the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit Sharma against Ireland four days earlier.  An upset seemed a distinct possibility when the pair came together. Raina hit up 110 off 104 balls, having struck 4 sixes and 9 fours. Dhoni slammed 85 from 76 deliveries, banging 2 sixes and 8 fours. India’s score of 288 for four was their highest batting second in the World Cup.

The quarter-final was a no-contest with India hitting up 302 for six. Rohit Sharma struck a fine hundred and was associated in a century stand with Raina. Dhoni was dismissed for 6. Bangladesh could muster only just 193. Dhoni snapped up four catches. India bowled out their opponents for the seventh successive match, all in this tournament, the most by any team in the World Cup. They also clinched their 11th consecutive win in the World Cup beginning 20th March 2011, second after Australia’s amazing streak of 25 successive triumphs from 20th June 1999 to 25th February 2011. This was Dhoni’s 100th victory as captain in One-day Internationals, emulating the Australians Allan Border (107) and Ricky Ponting (165).

India ran out of steam in the semi-final, losing by 95 runs to Australia. Chasing 329, India were 108 for four in 23 overs when Dhoni entered the arena. He put on 70 with Ajinkya Rahane in 14.2 overs. He reached his fifty off 55 deliveries with a tremendous six over the covers and smashed one more over long-off off the next ball. He was run out for a run-a-ball 65, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. By then it was an impossible task and India were bowled out for 233. It was a wonderful run in the tournament prior to this semi-final. Dhoni put in a fine performance with 237 runs in 6 innings at an average of 59.25 and strike-rate of 102.15, and as many as 15 catches in the 8 matches.

By 2019, touching 38 years of age, Dhoni appeared a bit leaden-footed at the crease, and seemed to have lost his nimbleness. He was still his reliable and unobtrusive self behind the stumps, and as always put in a hundred percent effort to the cause of the side under a new leader, Virat Kohli. It was a clinical performance by India in their opening encounter with the Proteas. Restricting the opponents to 227 for nine, they sauntered to their target, losing just four wickets and with 2.3 overs to spare. There was a stumping by Dhoni. With the bat he allied with Rohit Sharma at 139 for three after 31.3 overs. They kept the scoreboard ticking, ahead of the required rate. Rohit brought up his century in 128 balls. The fifty partnership was raised in 11.1 overs. Dhoni was caught and bowled off a skier for 34, scored off 46 deliveries with two boundaries. The stand was worth 74 in 14.4 overs. There were now just 15 runs required from 23 balls. A few big blows by the new man Hardik Pandya were enough to bring up a comfortable win and provide India a fine start to the tournament. Rohit was unbeaten with a classy 122, having taken on 144 balls and embellished with 2 sixes and 13 fours.

In a high-scoring game, India prevailed over reigning champions Australia. This time Shikhar Dhawan hit up a century. Dhoni slammed a rapid-fire 27 off 14 deliveries with a six off Mitchell Starc and three fours. He put on 37 with Kohli for the fourth wicket in 3.2 overs, being caught and bowled once again. India posted a huge 352 for five. Australia were restricted to 316, Dhoni snapping up a catch.

The fixture with New Zealand was washed out. Then followed the needle encounter with Pakistan. Rohit Sharma struck his second hundred of the tournament, a superb 140 off 113 balls, studded with 3 sixes and 14 fours. India hit up 336 for five. Dhoni was caught behind for 1. With a rain interruption, Pakistan’s target was adjusted to 302 in 40 overs. They managed 212 for six. This was India’s seventh win over Pakistan in the World Cup in as many matches, going back to 1992.

India made heavy weather of their game versus Afghanistan. They put up 224 for eight. Dhoni put on 57 with Kedar Jadhav for the fifth wicket in 14 overs. He was stumped off leg-spinner Rashid Khan for 28 off 52 deliveries with 3 fours. With Afghanistan at 190 for six, with 27 balls left, there was an outside chance of an upset. That was when Dhoni stumped Rashid Khan. There were 16 runs to win off the last over with three wickets left. Mohammad Nabi slammed a boundary off the first delivery, followed by a dot. Then Mohammed Shami grabbed a hat-trick to soothe the frayed Indian nerves.

The scare at the hands of Afghanistan must have jolted the Indian squad. They were back to their best as they faced the West Indies. Dhoni joined Kohli at 140 for four after 28.5 overs. They added 40 in 9.3 overs. In another fine stand, Dhoni added 70 with Hardik Pandya from just 10 overs. Dhoni was on 40 when the last over began. He pulled Oshane Thomas for a six over mid-wicket. He slammed another for four at long-off to bring up his half-century in 59 deliveries. The last ball was also short, and he bludgeoned it for six over square-leg. Dhoni returned unbeaten with 56 off 61 balls, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. India posted a competitive 268 for seven. West Indies folded up for 143, Mohammed Shami bagging a successive four-wicket haul.  

England prevailed in a match of tall scores. They logged up 337 for seven, Mohammed Shami captured five for 69, his third consecutive haul of four or five wickets. He became the quickest to capture 30 wickets in the World Cup, in just 10 matches. Rohit Sharma carved out his third century of the tournament, and Kohli hit up his fifth consecutive fifty. With the required-rate already above 10 runs an over, Dhoni added 41 for the fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya in 5.4 overs, and another unfinished 39 with Kedar Jadhav in 5.1 overs, but the overs ran out with India 31 short of the English total. Dhoni was 42 not out off just 31 deliveries, having struck a six off Chris Woakes in the last over and four boundaries.

Built on an opening partnership of 180 runs in 29.2 overs between Rohit and Lokesh Rahul, India hoisted 314 for nine off the Bangladesh attack. It was a consecutive hundred for Rohit, his fourth ton in this World Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. Dhoni added 40 with a belligerent Rishabh Pant in 5.3 overs. Dhoni scored 35 in 33 balls with four boundaries. Bangladesh made a game bid but were bowled out for 286 in 48 overs with a catch coming Dhoni’s way.

Sri Lanka put up 264 for seven. Dhoni accounted for the first four batsmen, three catches and a stumping. India’s opening partnership of 189 runs in 30.1 overs between Rahul and Rohit virtually settled the issue. Both hit up centuries, Rohit’s record fifth in this World Cup and third in succession. It was a seven-wicket triumph, with Dhoni not getting his turn to bat. India topped the league table with 15 points.

In the semi-final, New Zealand put up 239 for eight, with Dhoni pouching a catch. India made a disastrous start, 5 for three, 24 for four, 71 for five in 22.5 overs when Dhoni entered the scene, and 92 for six in 30.3 overs when he was joined by Ravindra Jadeja. There were 148 more runs required in 19.3 overs at a rate of almost 7.60. It was an uphill task. Jadeja showed his intent by slamming James Neesham for a huge six over long-on off his sixth delivery. He crashed another one off Mitchell Santner. The half-century of the partnership came in 8.4 overs. There were 90 required off the last 10 overs. Jadeja crashed Santner for his third six, and blasted another one off a slower one from Lockie Ferguson. The hundred of their stand came in 15 overs. The required-rate, though, was only climbing, 12.33 at the end of the 47th over. Jadeja was caught at long-off. His brilliant 77 came off 59 balls, having struck 4 fours besides the 4 sixes. In the next over, Dhoni slashed Ferguson for a six. He was run out going for a second run, a brilliant piece of fielding by Martin Guptill. He had scored a hard-fought 50 against the odds, with just a four besides the six. The ageing legend was not able to pull it off this time. India were all out for 221 in 49.3 overs. They had come close from a hopeless situation, thanks to the stellar efforts of Jadeja and Dhoni, but had to exit at the penultimate stage for the second time in a row.

In the evening of his career, Dhoni had given his all. A tally of 273 runs in 8 innings at an average of 45.50 and strike-rate of 87.78, and 10 dismissals were figures to be proud of. In his World Cup career of 29 matches, Dhoni hit up 780 runs at 43.33 per innings and 89.96 runs per 100 balls, to go with his 34 catches and 8 stumpings. In the World Cup too, he finished not only among the top wicketkeeper-batsmen but as a leader par excellence. The 2011 triumph, and the dramatic shot to clinch it, will forever remain etched in memory.

 As Sunil Gavaskar observed in the India Today Conclave in 2020, “Dhoni was definitely right at the top. The way Dhoni captained, the coolness that he brought in the team is special. His story doesn’t tell you the effort and the struggles that he went through.” How Mahendra Singh Dhoni metamorphosed from humble beginnings to the taciturn colossus of world cricket is the stuff of legend.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick of Home Wins’).