Dhoni, the legendary cricketer, boasts numerous exceptional records across all formats of the game. In addition to his achievements in international cricket, he has also left an indelible mark in franchise cricket.
Renowned for his unique wicketkeeping style, Dhoni’s fan following is unparalleled, transcending age and captivating both young and old cricket enthusiasts alike.
Dhoni’s stumping prowess is unmatched, making him a class apart from other wicketkeepers worldwide. His ability to secure wickets in less than a minute showcases his extraordinary talent. Now, let us delve into some remarkable records held by Dhoni as a captain and wicketkeeper.
Dhoni reigns supreme as the player with the most matches captained in all three formats of cricket. From 2007 to 2018, he led the Indian cricket team in a staggering 332 matches across ODI, Test, and T20I formats. Out of these, he emerged victorious in 178 matches, faced defeat in 120, and witnessed 6 ties. In ODIs alone, he captained in 200 matches, with 110 victories, 74 losses, and 16 ties.
In T20I matches, Dhoni served as captain in a total of 74 encounters, winning 41, losing 28, and tying 3. In Test matches, he captained in 60 games, securing 27 wins, suffering 18 losses, and settling for 15 draws.
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It is worth noting that the illustrious Australian captain Ricky Ponting stands second in line with a commendable 324 matches captained between 2002 and 2012, falling just 8 matches short of Dhoni’s record.
Dhoni’s wicketkeeping skills have garnered acclaim from cricketing greats worldwide. His agility behind the stumps, reminiscent of a cheetah, and his lightning-fast stumpings leave no room for doubt. Dhoni’s expertise extends beyond mere wicketkeeping; he possesses the rare ability to influence match outcomes from behind the stumps.
One such extraordinary feat is Dhoni’s record for scoring the highest individual runs in an ODI innings as a wicketkeeper. This incredible achievement was accomplished on 31 October 2005, when Dhoni amassed an unbeaten 183 runs against Sri Lanka on home soil.
His extraordinary knock comprised 15 fours and 10 sixes, at a remarkable strike rate of 126.20. The South African batsman, Q De Kock, trails behind Dhoni with an innings of 178 runs.
The third remarkable record, exclusively held by Dhoni, is for the most number of dismissals in an ODI innings. On 2 September 2007, during a match against England at Leeds, Dhoni secured this record by claiming 5 catches and executing 1 stumping as a wicketkeeper. However, Adam Gilchrist shares this feat with Dhoni, having achieved it multiple times against various teams.
Dhoni’s exceptional records not only epitomize his brilliance as a player but also solidify his status as a cricketing legend. His remarkable captaincy and exceptional wicketkeeping skills continue to inspire budding cricketers, while leaving an indelible mark on the history of the sport.