Former Team India skipper MS Dhoni, who has led his side across all formats, has been a cornerstone for the nation — known for his calm and composed demeanour. And on MS Dhoni birthday special, there’s plenty to relish.
During his illustrious journey since 2004, Dhoni has taken India to greater heights. In the meantime, he has also faced the wrath for failing to deliver apart from occasional blunders.
In 2014, amid Australia series, Dhoni hung his boots from the international cricket.
With performance further coming under scanner, Dhoni had decided to tender his resignation as a skipper in the limited-overs format in 2017. And then Virat Kohli became his successor in the white-ball cricket, too.
However, Dhoni has often lent his helping hand to Kohli, which is often visible in the different tourneys.
Anyway, apart from playing an aggressive brand of cricket, Dhoni has equally played a quintessential role in carrying youngsters alongside him.
Apart from the occasional blips, Dhoni has held his head high to produce scintillating knocks for India which further includes some exciting records to his name during his illustrious cricketing career so far.
Above all, his consistency behind the stumps had earned him accolades for being agile.
Anyway, if you still doubt about Dhoni to its length and breadth, then here’s how Dhoni’s records justify his contribution not only on his milestones but for the benefit of a team in a nutshell. Let’s take a look.
Here are the top 10 records registered by MS Dhoni:
Most ICC Trophies Across Formats:
MS Dhoni stood out as the most successful skipper in the international circuit. Known for marshalling his troops, Dhoni has further backed himself to achieve milestones after milestones.
Dhoni has brought glory to the Indian cricket by sealing three trophies for Team India.
The Ranchi-based hero is the only skipper in the world who has won three different ICC trophies.
In 2007, he led India to the T20 triumph before lifting India’s overall second ODI World Cup trophy in 2011. In 2013, Dhoni-led India thumped hosts England to clinch the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
MS Dhoni has led India in six T20 World Cup editions:
MS Dhoni has led India in as many as six versions of the World Cup Twenty which is in itself a record in the international circuit. In the inaugural edition of the 2007 World T20 in South Africa, Dhoni becomes the first-ever skipper to lift the T20 World title.
In the finale, Men in Blue pip Pakistan when Joginder Sharma got rid of Misbah-Ul-Haq to script the history.
India has made it to the super eight on three occasions. India has made it to the semis in 2014 where they lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets at Dhaka.
Most International Games as a Captain:
Arguably one of the best skippers in the world, Dhoni has carved his niche by backing his teammates. The prominent cricketer Dhoni has done exceedingly well as an astute thinker to deliver goods for the India National Cricket Team.
Owing to the most successful campaigns, Dhoni has been at the forefront to yield desired results for Team India.
Interestingly, he has led India in 331 international fixtures which are deemed as most by any cricketer in its history.
MS Dhoni Holds the Record of Most Number of Not outs in ODIs:
Dhoni has been incredible when it came to the role of a finisher. The 37-year-old Dhoni has been some exciting battles for India with his explosive brand of cricket.
Known for beginning the things at a slow pace, Dhoni has often changed gears irrespective of the conditions.
In the ODI cricket, he held the record of most number of not outs.
In 348 ODIs and while featuring in 296 innings, Dhoni remained unbeaten on 84 occasions which is most by any in the 50-over format.
Fastest to become No.1 in ICC ODI Rankings:
The celebrated cricket has done wonders for Team India. Known for playing big strokes, Dhoni has further taken best of the bowlers to cleaners.
Back in 2004, Dhoni had a sad start to his career when he got run-out against Bangladesh. But the way he had shown approach, has in itself been a heartwarming story.
He holds the record of becoming the fastest player to become N0.1 player in the ICC ODI rankings. He took just 42 innings to achieve the milestone.
Whitewashes Australia in Australia in the past 14 decades:
MS Dhoni, who holds a particular position in Indian fan’s hearts, has helped Team India to script history on the Australia soil in 2016.
Leading from the front, Dhoni has backed the youngsters which further saw Virat Kohli living upto the billings.
India created a unique record in the T20Is against Australia. The visitors whitewashed Australia to mark history, as Dhoni became the only skipper to whitewash Australia on their soil in the last 14 decades.
Dhoni has most T20I stumpings to his name:
MS Dhoni has been sharp behind the stumps. As it’s being said that the ‘line belongs to the umpire’, it has further witnessed Dhoni claiming it for the most-half.
Given to Dhoni’s athleticism, many batsmen fear to take a long stride when Dhoni is behind the stumps.
The veteran gloveman has 33 T20I stumpings to his name, which is most by any in the international leg.
MS Dhoni is the only batsman to clinch World Cup title with a six:
Over and over again, Dhoni had made it a norm to finish things off in style. His trademark has been to seal the game with a maximum. And particularly in the ODI cricket, Dhoni has finished at least nine games with a maximum.
Also, Dhoni holds the record of winning the World Cup with a six when he launched the ball literally into the orbit bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara. As soon as the ball landed into the stands, Team India and its members erupted in joy, so as, the jampacked Wankhede stadium.
Most maximums to his name as a captain in the Int’l cricket:
Dhoni has been incredible in the power-hitting. His exceptional hitting prowess is not hidden from anyone. Notably, at the fag end of innings, Dhoni has entertained one and all with his remarkable show.
Dhoni has 204 sixes to his name across formats as a captain who stands as the most as a leader.
Highest Individual score as a wicketkeeper-batsman:
In his early days of international cricket, Dhoni has put up a grand show at Jaipur on 31st of October 2005.
During the third ODI, Sri Lanka set a target of 299 for India. In response, India lost at the score of seven before Dhoni walked in as a No. 1 who remained unbeaten on 183.
Thus, he has helped India to seal the game by six wickets and 23 balls to spare. In that particular innings, Dhoni has eclipsed the record of legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, Adam Gilchrist.
At Hobart, the Australian veteran Gilchrist slammed 172 runs against Zimbabwe in 2004.