MS Dhoni, the unyielding icon of Indian cricket, is playing his 18th consecutive season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni is the only 40-year-old in this year’s IPL—not only in age but in wisdom and experience. He’s still shining brightly, with an enviable record of accomplishments. What an incredible IPL ride it has been for him. With an incredible 5,243 total runs scored, he currently ranks sixth on the all-time run list. His strike rate of 137.53 is a testament to his destructive batting prowess. He currently sits third all-time (among players with at least 5,000 runs) behind only AB de Villiers and David Warner.
For all his greatness, Dhoni could rank only fourth in the all-time list of most sixes, behind Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. The man, with 39.12 as his career batting average, is indeed a brilliant player better than Sharma and Kohli. This puts him third in that regard behind only David Warner and AB de Villiers among those with over 5,000 runs. Dhoni’s brilliance goes far beyond his batting escapades. He has the most catches as a wicketkeeper ever in the IPL, with an astounding 141 catches and 39 stumpings.
Dhoni’s leadership has been key for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the team for which he is preparing to make his 16th appearance. Along with most IPL matches as captain. Under his leadership, CSK has won five IPL titles and two Champions League titles. His legacy on Indian cricket stretches far beyond the IPL. He captained India to that rarefied air, securing all three ICC titles in a T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy. Additionally, his international career includes 90 Tests for India, during which he guided the team to the No1 ICC ranking before retiring.
"Write off Dhoni at your own risk. We could still see some old magic." – Robin Uthappa
What was important was that his presence in the league still had the power to mesmerise fans and franchise owners. While we can’t retain him as an uncapped player for the 2025 season, his leadership and experience will be of great value. Ravi Shastri, the former coach of India and regular commentator, once said that was the very practical approach that franchisees take.
"The league operates on free-market dynamics. Franchise owners aren't sentimental – they know what's best for them, on and off the field," – Ravi Shastri
Renowned for his lightning-quick reflexes and sleight-of-hand glovework, Dhoni has taken to the stump camera with a reputation as a pickpocket. On the field, as one of the world’s greatest cricketers of all time, his legacy is exceptional. He takes his place amongst legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kapil Dev. His albums certainly reflect his artistry, but that’s not where it ends. With his cool swagger and tactical genius, he’s inspiring his teammates and Timbers fans along the way.
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