IPL 2019: Top IPL records by MS Dhoni

IPL came into existence at the back of India's heroics in the inaugural World T20 held in South Africa in 2007. The player who masterminded India's stunning show in the tournament was MS Dhoni. IPL organisers were banking on Dhoni's charisma to make IPL a grand success and Dhoni hasn't let them down.

Dhoni has been the face of Chennai Super Kings and IPL for years now. Dhoni's astute leadership skills have become a trademark of the IPL. He has also been one of the major reasons for Chennai Super Kings' success in the tournament. The Chennai based franchise is one of the most followed teams in the world and Dhoni is the prime reason behind the popularity.

Apart from his stardom, Dhoni has also been one of the most successful cricketers in IPL history. His ability to tonk the ball all around the park and his brilliance as a wicket-keeper and a captain makes him the perfect T20 package. The Ranchi rockstar has a number of records to his name.

Here are top 5 records that MS Dhoni holds in the IPL at the moment.

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#5 Most runs by a Captain in IPL

Dhoni has played match-winning innings for CSK

MS Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings brilliantly throughout the IPL. He has also played some splendid innings for the team over the years. The wicket-keeper batsman has been the leading batsman of his side and on many occasions has played the captain's innings to take his team over the line.

Apart from captaining CSK, Dhoni also captained Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016. Dhoni has the record of scoring most number of runs as a captain in IPL. He has scored 3725 runs in 159 IPL games while leading his side.

Virat Kohli is second in the list with 3546 runs from 96 matches. Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma and David Warner are 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively in the list.

#4 Most number of stumpings in IPL

Dhoni has been lightning fast behind the stumps

Like his technique with the bat, there were apprehensions about Dhoni's technique behind the stumps as well when he first arrived at the international scene. But he has proved all his critics wrong by showing exemplary wicket-keeping skills over the years.

He is one of the quickest wicket-keepers in world cricket. The former India skipper is known for his fast hands behind the stumps and has the record of most number of stumpings in IPL to his name.

He has affected as many as 33 stumpings in the IPL, followed by Robin Uthappa with 32 stumpings and Dinesh Karthik with 30 stumpings.

Dhoni is also second in the list of wicket-keepers with most number of dismissals in IPL, with 116 dismissals in 175 games. Dinesh Karthik leads the tally with 124 dismissals in 168 matches.

#3 Most sixes by an Indian in IPL

Dhoni hits one out of the park

Mahendra Singh Dhoni shot into prominence because of his ability to clear the ground at will in his early playing days. Even though Dhoni has become a little cautious in his approach now, he has still been hitting the big ones regularly.

The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina have been leading the run charts over the years but they haven't been able to beat the master finisher when it comes to hitting sixes in the tournament. Dhoni leads the list of Indians to hit most number of sixes in the IPL.

The 37-year-old has hit 186 sixes so far in the IPL. He is followed by his CSK teammate Suresh Raina with 185 sixes and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma with 184 sixes. Virat Kohli and the explosive Yusuf Pathan are 4th and 5th in the list respectively.

#2 Best batting average by an Indian batsman in IPL (minimum 500 runs)

Despite batting in the lower-middle order, Dhoni has been highly consistent

Despite batting in the lower middle-order, where you get to face fewer balls and are expected to score quick runs, MS Dhoni has been able to maintain an outstanding batting average. He might not have played big innings for the franchise but has contributed tremendously by playing some useful cameos down the order.

Dhoni knows the importance of his wicket to his team and does not throw away his wicket easily. Over the course of his career, he has learnt to adapt to the situation and play the innings that his team needs.

He therefore has the best average among all the Indian batsmen who have scored more than 500 runs in the IPL. Dhoni averages more than 40 in the 175 games he has played in the tournament so far, and is ahead of the likes of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

#1 Most matches played and won as a captain in IPL

Dhoni has won the IPL title thrice in his illustrious career

MS Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in IPL history. Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings to IPL glory thrice and has been phenomenal with his captaincy skills. He has won a lot of matches with his instinctive and out of the box decisions.

Dhoni was also responsible for CSK's astonishing comeback in the IPL after a gap of two years. He is a terrific reader of the game and has often been seen providing valuable inputs to the bowlers from behind the stumps. Dhoni has played the most number of games as captain and also has topped the list of captains with the highest number of wins.

The celebrated cricketer also has the best winning percentage as a captain among players to lead their teams in more than 25 matches. As captain, Dhoni has won the IPL title three times, which is the joint highest with Rohit Sharma. He has a higher win percentage than the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Adam Gilchrist.

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