India | Wicketkeeper Batter
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an Indian professional cricketer who plays as a right-handed batter and a wicket-keeper.
| Full Name Mahendra Singh Dhoni | Born July 07, 1981, Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand) | Age 43y 311d |
| Also Known As Mahi | Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Medium |
| Fielding Position Wicketkeeper | Nationality India | Playing Role Wicketkeeper Batter |
TEAMS
MS Dhoni: The Legendary Wicketkeeper-Batter of Indian Cricket
Early Life and Background
Born on 7th July 1981 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni grew up in a modest household. From an early age, he showed great talent in sports like cricket, football, and badminton at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir. Although he lacked formal coaching, his love for cricket grew quickly. His journey to fame began not in elite academies, but through local matches. In those games, his sharp reflexes and calm under pressure became clear. As time passed, his natural talent started drawing attention. Eventually, he moved from local teams to district-level cricket. Later, he earned a place in the state team. Soon after, he joined the Railways cricket setup. Gradually, he made his way into professional cricket. Thus, Dhoni’s rise reflected hard work and strong belief in himself. In the end, he became a global icon, inspiring millions with his story.
Early Career and Domestic Breakthrough
Dhoni’s domestic career began with Bihar, now Jharkhand, where he displayed his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills. Later, he joined Railways, further strengthening his reputation as a reliable finisher in tense situations. His match-winning performances in domestic cricket caught the attention of selectors. In 2004, Dhoni made his international debut, marking the start of his professional journey on the global stage. Though his international success is well known, his early domestic contributions were equally significant.His aggressive stroke play in the lower middle order, combined with his safe hands behind the stumps, marked him as a future leader. By 2004 , his performances in the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy cemented his reputation, paving the way for his international debut .
International Career: Records, Leadership, and Legacy
Dhoni’s international career, spanning 16 years , redefined Indian cricket. He debuted in ODIs against Bangladesh in 2004 and played his first Test in 2005, gradually evolving into a captain-mentor whose strategic brilliance and icy composure transformed India into a dominant force. His tenure as skipper (2007–2017) remains unparalleled:
- ICC Trophies : Dhoni is the only Indian captain to win all three ICC trophies —the 2007 T20 World Cup , 2011 ODI World Cup , and 2013 Champions Trophy .
- Batting Milestones : He amassed 10,773 ODI runs , 3,408 Test runs , and 1,617 T20I runs , with a unique ability to anchor innings and accelerate in the death overs.
- Wicketkeeping Prowess : Dhoni holds the record for the most dismissals by an Indian wicketkeeper (1,010 in ODIs and 294 in Tests), blending athleticism with anticipation .
Transition to Leadership :
Appointed ODI captain in 2007 after India’s disastrous World Cup campaign, Dhoni’s leadership turned the tide. His famous “Helicopter Shot” and knack for finishing matches earned him the nickname Captain Cool . Under his guidance, India reached the No. 1 Test ranking in 2011 and built a fearless team culture that nurtured talents like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja .
IPL factfile
Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to three ICC titles and is equally celebrated for his leadership with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Nicknamed “Thala,” he guided CSK to ten finals in 14 seasons, winning five championships—in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Under his captaincy, CSK reached the playoffs twelve times, becoming the tournament’s most consistent team. Before IPL 2024, he stepped down as skipper, handing over the responsibility to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Dhoni was acquired by CSK in the inaugural IPL auction of 2008 and remained their leader throughout, except during their 2016–17 suspension due to corruption charges. During that period, he played for Rising Pune Supergiant(s), marking a short break from his usual franchise. His standout batting season came in 2018 when he scored 455 runs at an average of 75.83 and strike rate of 150.66, leading CSK to victory in their return season after the ban.
In 2023, Dhoni became the first player to appear in 250 IPL matches, achieving yet another milestone. Although he briefly gave up captaincy before IPL 2022, he returned mid-season after Ravindra Jadeja stepped down and led CSK to another title. In IPL 2024, Dhoni recorded his highest strike rate—220.54—including a blistering knock of 161 off 73 balls with 14 fours and 13 sixes. Despite retiring from international cricket, he continues to deliver powerful performances on the field.
Other T20 Leagues and T10 Ventures
While Dhoni primarily focused on the IPL, he briefly participated in the T10 League (2018) as a mentor-captain for the Northern Warriors , guiding them to the final. His influence extended beyond borders, mentoring younger players and popularizing the T10 format’s fast-paced excitement. Though he rarely played in other leagues, his leadership philosophy inspired franchises globally .
Strong Zones and Unique Skills
Dhoni’s greatest strength lay in his mental resilience and game-reading ability . As a wicketkeeper, his lightning-fast stumpings and reflex catches dismantled oppositions. As a batter, his 360-degree shot-making , especially the helicopter pull shot, redefined the role of finishers. Crucially, his captaincy —often against the grain of conventional wisdom—turned matches single-handedly, such as his unbeaten 91 in the 2011 World Cup final * .
Legacy and Retirement
Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 , leaving behind a legacy of 10,773 ODI runs , 3,408 Test runs , and 1,617 T20I runs across 538 matches 7. His leadership ethos—“lead from the front, stay calm under pressure”—continues to influence cricketers globally. Even in 2025, at 43 , he remains a cricketing icon, recently featuring in a domestic match as an uncapped player and winning Player of the Match.
MS Dhoni Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 90 | 144 | 16 | 4876 | 224 | 38.09 | 8249 | 59.11 | 6 | 33 | 544 | 78 | 256 | 38 |
| ODIs | 350 | 297 | 84 | 10773 | 183* | 50.57 | 12303 | 87.56 | 10 | 73 | 826 | 229 | 321 | 123 |
| T20Is | 98 | 85 | 42 | 1617 | 56 | 37.60 | 1282 | 126.13 | 0 | 2 | 116 | 52 | 57 | 34 |
| FC | 131 | 210 | 19 | 7038 | 224 | 36.84 | – | – | 9 | 47 | – | – | 364 | 57 |
| List A | 423 | 364 | 99 | 13353 | 183* | 50.38 | – | – | 17 | 87 | – | – | 402 | 141 |
| T20s | 403 | 354 | 152 | 7612 | 84* | 37.68 | 5607 | 135.75 | 0 | 28 | 529 | 349 | 229 | 92 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 90 | 7 | 96 | 67 | 0 | – | – | – | 4.18 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 350 | 2 | 36 | 31 | 1 | 1/14 | 1/14 | 31.00 | 5.16 | 36.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 98 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| FC | 131 | – | 126 | 87 | 0 | – | – | – | 4.14 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 423 | – | 63 | 53 | 2 | 1/14 | 1/14 | 26.50 | 5.04 | 31.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 403 | 1 | 12 | 25 | 0 | – | – | – | 12.50 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MS Dhoni T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 276 | 241 | 100 | 5423 | 84* | 38.46 | 3940 | 137.63 | 0 | 24 | 375 | 263 | 157 | 47 |
| CLT20 | CSK | 24 | 23 | 8 | 449 | 63* | 29.93 | 318 | 141.19 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 11 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 2 teams | 276 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| CLT20 | CSK | 24 | 1 | 12 | 25 | 0 | – | – | – | 12.50 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of MS Dhoni
Test Matches
Debut
India vs Sri Lanka at Chennai – December 02 – 06, 2005
Last
Australia vs India at Melbourne – December 26 – 30, 2014
ODI Matches
Debut
Bangladesh vs India at Chattogram – December 23, 2004
Last
New Zealand vs India at Manchester – July 09 – 10, 2019
T20I Matches
Debut
South Africa vs India at Johannesburg – December 01, 2006
Last
India vs Australia at Bengaluru – February 27, 2019
FC Matches
Debut
1999/00
Last
Australia vs India at Melbourne – December 26 – 30, 2014
List A Matches
Debut
1999/00
Last
New Zealand vs India at Manchester – July 09 – 10, 2019
T20 Matches
Debut
South Africa vs India at Johannesburg – December 01, 2006
Last
KKR vs CSK at Eden Gardens – May 07, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru