Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrates his 39th birthday today. Captain Cool has been one of the most successful captains in the Indian cricketing history. Under his leadership, the Indian cricket team has added numerous triumphs to its name. While Dhoni has already stepped away from the Test cricket format, he still remains one of the most talented cricketers to have played for team India. His popularity as a captain is unparalleled and he holds several records under his name. Here are 10 of these records.
Top Ten Records Held By Mahendra Singh Dhoni
1. The only Captain to win all the ICC Trophies
One of the crowning achievements of MS Dhoni’s career is winning all three major ICC trophies. He is the only captain in the world to have achieved this feat. Under his captaincy, India won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, ICC ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.
2. Most International matches as captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni also holds the record for most international matches as captain across all formats. The talented cricketer had been promoted to captain across all platforms by 2008 after winning the T20 World Cup in 2007. Since then, he has captained India in 332 matches across all formats. Meanwhile, Australian Ricky Ponting has the second spot on the list with 324 matches.
3. Most wins as captain for India
In addition, Mahendra Singh Dhoni also holds the record for the most wins as an Indian captain. Captain Cool has won 178 in 332 matches as the captain. He also holds the record for captaining India in 200 ODIs.
4. Most runs by an Indian captain in ODIs
Adding to his legacy, MS Dhoni also holds the record for the most runs as an Indian captain in ODIs. He has scored 6641 runs as captain in 200 ODIs at a brilliant average of 53.56. He is only second to Ricky Ponting in the list.
5. Most sixes as a captain in ODIs
The highlight of MS Dhoni’s career have to be his flamboyant sixes. Whether he was sending balls away with his famous helicopter shot or smashing them across the boundary with brute muscle, the batsmen often tortured bowlers with his sixes. So much so, that he has 204 sixes in ODIs as captain which is the most by any player in history.
6. Most wins as captain in IPL
Besides being one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also one of the most successful captains in IPL history. Chennai Super Kings has won three titles under his captaincy. He holds the highest winning percentage of 60.11% as captain in IPL with 104 victories and 69 losses in 174 matches.
7. Highest Individual Score as a wicket-keeper batsman in ODIs
MS Dhoni holds the record for the highest individual score by a wicket-keeper batsman in ODIs. He played an amazing inning of 183 runs off just 145 deliveries laced with 15 fours and 10 sixes in an ODI game against Sri Lanka in 2005.
8. Only Player to win the World Cup with a Six
Not only did MS Dhoni lead the Indian team to World Cup victory in 2011, but he also did so with flair. Dhoni sent a length ball from Kulasekara sailing for a six to seal the win for India. He remains the only player to have won a World Cup with a six.
9. Most Stumpings in International Cricket
MS Dhoni also happens to be one of the best wicket-keepers in the world. The former India captain holds the record for most stumpings in international cricket. Dhoni has inflicted 195 stumpings in 538 games across formats. Kumar Sangakkara is at the second spot with 139 stumpings under his belt in 594 matches.
10. Most successful wicket-keeper for India
MS Dhoni is the most successful wicket-keeper India has ever produced. Dhoni has a staggering 829 dismissals in international cricket which includes 195 stumpings and 634 catches. No other Indian wicket-keeper has managed to achieve more than 500 dismissals in international cricket. Dhoni averages 1.363 dismissals per innings in all formats.