IPL 2024 captains | M.S. Dhoni: IPL records & role in Chennai Super Kings' success

Over the years, MS Dhoni’s tactical acumen from behind the stumps has played a key role in Chennai’s success. (Image courtesy: IPL, BCCI)

MS Dhoni IPL playing record: 250 matches

MS Dhoni batting record in IPL: 5,082 runs, strike rate: 136

MS Dhoni fielding record in IPL: 142 catches, 42 stumpings

MS Dhoni IPL captaincy record: 226 matches, 133 wins, 91 defeats, W/L ratio 1.461

MS Dhoni IPL titles: 5

Of the seven Indian captains in the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), M.S. Dhoni was the only one who did not hail from the domestic side attached to the base cities. Chennai Super Kings acquired him for USD 1.5 million, he became the most expensive cricketer at that year’s auction.

The man and the team were perfect for each other. Despite being renowned for their love for cricket, Chennai hadn't quite produced a global cricketing icon. There have been big names – from C.P. Johnstone to S. Venkataraghavan to Kris Srikkanth – but no one of Dhoni’s stature.

The Chennai franchise was banned for two years, in 2016 and 2017, for illegal betting by the co-owners. They also replaced Dhoni with Ravindra Jadeja as captain in 2022, but Dhoni was reinstated after Jadeja resigned halfway through the season. Barring these gaps, he has led Chennai from the first season, and responded to his fans’ requests in 2023 by promising to stay on for another season.

MS Dhoni's success in IPL

And he delivered. In fourteen editions, Chennai made it to the playoffs 12 times, the final 10 times and won five of them. There have never been two consecutive IPL finals without Chennai. No captain in IPL history has led in more matches or more wins than Dhoni.

Over the years, MS Dhoni’s tactical acumen from behind the stumps has played a key role in Chennai’s success. He played the anchor’s role, but there was a visible change in 2023. He faced only 57 balls (fewer than four a match) but smashed 104 runs at a strike rate of 182, the only time he crossed 165 in his IPL career as well as the third-best by anyone in the season. Dhoni also underwent surgery on his left knee in Mumbai in June 2023.

Expect him to reprise that destructive role as he will almost certainly sign out of cricket this time, at 42.

Chennai Super Kings captain M.S. Dhoni's IPL record