MS Dhoni retired from international cricket almost five years ago, but his name still carries weight in the sport. He is known for his batting, wicketkeeping, and also for his calm leadership that changed Indian cricket forever. Team India lifted three major ICC trophies under his guidance, namely the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
MS Dhoni still plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the last season, when Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out midway through the tournament due to an elbow fracture, MS Dhoni once again showed his value as a leader.
It is worth mentioning here that MS Dhoni won five IPL trophies as a captain. In this listicle, let us now take a good look at the records that are nearly impossible for future cricketers to break. Yes, let’s now take a glimpse at seven of MS Dhoni’s greatest records that may stand forever:
1. Only Captain to Win All 3 Major ICC Trophies
MS Dhoni became the only captain in history to win all three big ICC trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. No other captain has matched this feat. Many great leaders tried but failed. Cricket has become more competitive, and captaincy changes happen quickly. Because of this, Dhoni’s rare record looks safe for years to come.
2. Most International Matches as Captain
MS Dhoni led India in 332 international matches – 60 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 72 T20Is. This number is the highest for any captain in world cricket. He overtook Ricky Ponting, who captained in 324 games. In today’s cricket, captains face workload issues and high pressure. Boards often replace leaders if results don’t come quickly. With this trend, it seems unlikely that anyone will lead their team as long as Dhoni did.
3. Most Successful IPL captain
MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in the history of the IPL. He has won 136 games out of 235 matches as skipper, and no one else comes close. Rohit Sharma comes second on the list with 87 wins. However, he no longer captains an IPL side.
4. Oldest skipper to Win an IPL Trophy
Dhoni proved that age is just a number. In 2023, he guided CSK to the IPL trophy at 42 years and 325 days. He became the oldest captain to lift the title. Few cricketers continue to play at that level in their 40s. That makes this record one of his most special achievements.
5. Most Matches as Captain in IPL History
Dhoni also holds the record for most matches as IPL captain- 235. Rohit Sharma follows him with 158. Since Rohit no longer captains, Dhoni’s record looks untouchable. It is evident that IPL teams often change captains due to form, team balance, or injuries. No one else is likely to stay in charge for as many games as Dhoni. His longevity as captain shows the trust CSK placed in him for nearly two decades.
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6. MS Dhoni has the Most Stumpings in International Cricket
It is no secret that MS Dhoni recorded 195 stumpings in international cricket. Overall, he registered 123 in ODIs, 38 in Tests, and 34 in T20Is. Modern cricket rarely allows keepers to play for so long across formats. Teams also rotate players more often. That makes it very tough for anyone to reach Dhoni’s number.
7. Most Runs in ODIs at No. 6 position or lower
The Ranchi-born mastered the art of batting in the lower middle order. He scored 10,268 ODI runs while batting mostly at number 6 or lower. No one else has touched this mark. Batting in that position means handling pressure, finishing matches, and accelerating the scoring rate when the team needs it most. Dhoni did all this with calmness and strength. In today’s game, roles keep changing, so it is hard to imagine anyone repeating this.