Today is Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s birthday. The name in itself is more significant than life in India as well as World Cricket. Hundreds of players and millions of fans around the country love Mahindra Singh Dhoni for all he has done in his playing career.
In his 15-year-long career, Dhoni has achieved various accolades in the game of cricket. From becoming the first captain to win the T20 World Cup to bringing home the first 50-over world cup home, Dhoni has done it all.
Apart from these team achievements, Dhoni has unique records to his name. These records are really unique, just like our former captain.
So, as the Indian legend celebrates his 41st birthday, let’s take a look at some of his unique records.
7 Unique records held by MS Dhoni
Most International matches as captain
We all know that Dhoni has been the most successful captain for India. But did you know that he is the longest-reigning captain as well?
Yes, MSD holds the record for most international matches as a captain.
He has captained India in 332 matches (200 ODIs, 60 Tests, 72 T20Is). This is eight games more than the second-placed legend Ricky Ponting.
India managed to win 178 matches off the 332 and lost just 120. With just six ties and 15 draws, MS Dhoni has a winning percentage of 53.
Dhoni holds a similar record in IPL as well. He has captained more than 210 matches in IPL and won 123 of them.
Most not-outs in ODI matches
This has to be one of the most unique records held by a batter in cricket. Dhoni has been not out on 84 occasions in an ODI game. He is only the second batter in the top five list, with Micheal Bevan of Australia being the other batter.
What’s more fascinating is that 49 out of these 84 innings have come while chasing. And India won on 47 occasions. As a result, MS Dhoni has an average of 100+ runs when it comes to chasing.
Highest individual score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs
Dhoni is known for his quick-fire knocks towards the end of an inning. His knocks have the sole purpose of extending his team’s total. But did you know Dhoni has the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs?
Dhoni, in 2005, at the start of his career, smashed a record-breaking 183 against Sri Lanka. And it till this date (2022) remains the highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs.
Fastest to reach no. 1 on ICC ODI Batsmen ranking
When it comes it ranking, MS Dhoni is only remembered for taking India to the top of the Test Rankings. But when he broke into the international scene, he himself reached the top of the batter’s chart in a record time.
It took Dhoni just 42 innings to reach the top of ODI Batter’s ranking. By doing so he beat the record of then-Australian Captain Ricky Ponting.
Most stumpings in international cricket
Dhoni is magnificent behind the stumps. With his quick hand, agile body, an alert mind, he has inflicted various stumpings. And this is visible in the fact that in his 538 matches long international career he has imposed 195 stumpings.
The only player who comes close to this figure is Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka. Sangakkara has just 139 stumpings to his name.
Fastest stumping in cricket history
Quick hands and MS Dhoni are almost synonymous in cricket. The former Indian captain has left the batters baffled and umpires bamboozled by some of his stumpings. And one of them turned out to be the fastest stumping in cricket history.
The recorded time of the stumping is said to be 0.08 seconds. This is less than the time taken by an average human to blink his eyes.
Also, in doing so, he broke his own record of 0.09 seconds.
Winner of all ICC trophies
Most cricket players dream of winning a world cup in their lifetime. But MS Dhoni was able to win two, that too as a captain.
He won the inaugural edition of T20 World Cup in 2007. And then doubled it up with the 2011 ODI World Cup. Later he also went on to win the 2013 Champions Trophy, and became the only Captain in the world to have won all three ICC trophies.
MS Dhoni’s career record
MS Dhoni contributed 15 years of his life to Indian cricket. In these years, he played a total of 90 tests in which he made 4876 runs at an average of 38.09.
He represented india in 98 T20I games and made 1617 runs in those matches at an average of 37.
In ODI cricket, he played 350 matches and scored a mountain of 10773 runs at a massive average of 50.58.
His contribution to the Indian cricket can never be forgotten or replaced. He will always be remembered as the best captain and player Indian cricket ever had.
