One would actually feel for England because in both the ODIs they have let India go past 350 runs from 63 for 4 and 25 for 3 respectively. England skipper Eoin Morgan has been left clueless in both the occasions but by four different batsmen and in the second ODI it was the veterans of Indian cricket – Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni.
It was almost as if the clock was turned years back when these two were in their prime batting form. This was Yuvraj’s fourth ODI hundred against England and three out of those four times, Dhoni made his presence felt at the other end of the wicket.
Yuvraj proved it with ease that one should never doubt the abilities of a champion because of temporary failures. The southpaw played a majestic innings at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack alongside Dhoni.
100! @msdhoni makes his 10th ODI century, showing he still has plenty to offer without the captaincy! https://t.co/f2SYnPX55w #IndvEng pic.twitter.com/1twm38Y3GL
— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2017
Both Dhoni and Yuvraj were calm and composed right from the start of their innings. The experienced pair added 256 runs together plundering the Three Lions’ bowling attack.
That is 4000 ODI runs for @msdhoni in India, only the second batsman after @sachin_rt to get to that milestone #INDvENG @Paytm #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/BjYlSvriUU
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2017
The former Indian captain became the only batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to score 4000 ODI runs in India. He also became the only Indian to have hit 200 sixes in the 50 overs format. Shahid Afridi, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum are the only players ahead of him in that list.
Meanwhile, as a result of that massive partnership between Yuvraj and Dhoni, England will have to chase a mammoth total.
An emotional moment for @YUVSTRONG12 as he brings up his 14th ODI ton #TeamIndia #INDvENG @Paytm pic.twitter.com/cX88vImx0v
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 19, 2017
However, we will all take a minute to thank Yuvraj (150 from 127 balls) and Dhoni (134 from 122 balls) for taking us back down the memory lane with their heroics out there in the middle.