There’s a reason they call them Thala and Chinna Thala. MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina have perhaps set the benchmark for friendships on a cricket field. The two have a long history of playing together and Raina’s decision to announce his retirement soon after Dhoni did his came as little surprise for his admiration for the former Indian skipper is well known.
The two have shared a wonderful camaraderie over the years and it has resulted in some spectacular stats. Here we takea glance at some individual and combined stats of the two stalwarts.
Most partnership runs for the fourth wicket and lower in ODIs
MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina forged some of the most memorable partnerships in ODI cricket. For fourth wicket or lower, the two shared 3484 runs, the most by any batting pair given the conditions.
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni shared a remarkable camaraderie.
In ODIs, few middle-order pairs have had a more fruitful bond in the middle than these two as shown by this stat 👇#MSDhoni #SureshRaina #Cricket #Cricketstats pic.twitter.com/lZOCXA20eN
— Stat Doctor🩺 (@stat_doctor) August 16, 2020
They have nine century stands and 17 half-century partnerships for the fourth wicket or lower with a highest of 196*. A partnership average of 57.11 reveal how good Dhoni and Raina were as a pair in ODIs batting down the order.
For the fifth wicket or lower, Dhoni – Raina has six century stands, the most by any player. They also have 15 fifty stands which is again the best for any pair from fifth wicket or lower.
More than 5000 runs down the order in ODIs
For batting positions no.4 or lower, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina have over 5000 runs for India, two of the only five Indians to do so from these positions.
Every cricketer has to end his journey one day, but still when someone you've gotten to know so closely announces that decision, you feel the emotion much more. What you've done for the country will always remain in everyone's heart…… pic.twitter.com/0CuwjwGiiS
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 15, 2020
While Dhoni is the top run-scorer with 9508 runs from no.4 or lower, averaging 48.26 with seven tons and 66 fifties, Raina has 5069 runs with five centuries and 30 half-centuries.
The team record
When Dhoni and Raina play together, India have a pretty good record in ODIs, winning 107 matches and losing 72, a win/loss ratio of 1.486. In T20Is, the record is 42 wins and 27 losses.
The two have also been a part of the successful Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL and will continue to play for the franchise in the upcoming IPL 2020 season.
India have won 88 ODIs in which Suresh Raina was playing under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Raina played 153 of his ODI games under Dhoni, with India losing just 55 of those games.
Quite shocked about @ImRaina’s retirement.. still feel u have a lot to give to the game in blue, with age and fitness on ur side.. but as they say you know when you know.. all the best for your 2nd inn.. God bless you
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 16, 2020
The run-chase record
In successful run-chases in One Day Internationals, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni have remained unbeaten on eight occasions, the second-most after AB de Villiers and JP Duminy (11).
Raina’s record under Dhoni is spectacular but so is the team record.