MS Dhoni becomes most capped Indian wicket-keeper in Test cricket

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni became India’s most capped Test wicket-keeper when he took to the field during the second Test between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane. This is the 89th Test cap that Dhoni has earned, which takes him one ahead of World Cup-winner Syed Kirmani.

The Ranchi-born cricketer made his debut in the longest format of the game, against Sri Lanka in 2005. He scored 30 in a match that ended in a tame draw after three days were lost due to rain.

Dhoni cemented his place in the Test side after an unbeaten run-a-ball 51 in his second Test helped India beat Sri Lanka in Delhi. He scored his first Test century in his 5th Test against Pakistan in Faisalabad, which still remains his only Test ton outside India.

In the 89 Tests he has played so far, the 33-year-old has captained the side in 59 of those matches. After his knock of 33 in India’s first innings at the Gabba, he now has 4841 Test runs to his name. His average of 38.42 is the highest for any Indian wicket-keeper, among the ones who have played over 5 Tests.

His highest score in Test cricket came in 2013 against Australia at Chennai, when he smashed 224 at a strike-rate of over 80. During that knock, he also became the first Indian wicket-keeper to register a double century at the international level.

Dhoni’s biggest regret so far will definitely be the fact that he is yet to hit a Test century outside the subcontinent.

Here are the 5 Indian wicket-keepers with most Test caps:

Player	Tests
MS Dhoni	89*
Syed Kirmani	88
Kiran More	49
Farokh Engineer	46
Nayan Mongia	44

*includes the ongoing Test match between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane.