MS Dhoni Marks 400th T20 Milestone in Style During CSK vs SRH Clash at Chepauk
MS Dhoni, a timeless cricketing legend, reached another major milestone by playing his 400th T20 match during Chennai Super Kings’ encounter with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
Throughout his illustrious T20 journey, Dhoni has captained India to victory in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and played a crucial role in securing five Indian Premier League titles for CSK. Over his career, he has amassed 7,566 runs at an impressive strike rate of 135.90.
Dhoni’s Everlasting Impact Behind the Stumps
Despite being 44 years old, Dhoni remains exceptionally agile behind the wickets. His sharp reflexes have helped him secure the record for the most stumpings in T20 cricket, with 34 dismissals to his name.
Although his batting form may have tapered with age, his experience and skill behind the stumps remain invaluable for CSK.
Among Indian players, Dhoni now joins an elite group who have crossed the 400-match mark in T20 cricket:
- Rohit Sharma: 456 matches
- Dinesh Karthik: 412 matches
- Virat Kohli: 408 matches
- MS Dhoni: 400 matches
Return to Captaincy After Gaikwad’s Injury
In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, Dhoni resumed leadership duties for CSK after regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to an elbow fracture.
This season marks Dhoni’s return as captain for the first time since the IPL 2023 final in Ahmedabad—a memorable night when Ravindra Jadeja struck a six and a four in the last two balls to clinch CSK’s fifth title.
Previously, Dhoni had handed the captaincy to Gaikwad at the start of IPL 2024, choosing to step back from frontline leadership while continuing to support the team on and off the field.
However, Gaikwad’s unfortunate injury during a match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati forced Dhoni to reassume the captaincy.
Scans confirmed that Gaikwad suffered an elbow fracture, sidelining him for the rest of the tournament.
Dhoni’s Leadership Legacy in Numbers
Across his stellar career with CSK, Dhoni has captained the franchise in a record 239 matches. This includes leading the team during all five of their IPL title victories.
In 2022, Dhoni had temporarily relinquished captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja, but after a series of underwhelming performances, he resumed leadership midway through the season, stabilizing the team’s campaign.
CSK and SRH Battle Amid Struggles
Both CSK and SRH entered Friday’s clash in desperate need of a win. CSK, with only two wins from eight matches, languished at the bottom of the points table.
SRH, having suffered six losses in eight games, occupied the ninth spot. With elimination risks looming, the stakes were extremely high for both sides.
Dhoni’s Glittering T20 Career
In his extensive T20 career, Dhoni has represented India, CSK, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Jharkhand. Over his 399 prior T20 appearances, he had scored 7,566 runs at an average of 38.02.
His achievements include 28 half-centuries and a personal best score of 84 not out. Additionally, he has been involved in 318 dismissals, further underlining his prowess behind the stumps.
Internationally, West Indies’ Kieron Pollard leads the tally for most T20 appearances with 695 matches, followed by Dwayne Bravo (582) and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (557).
In IPL history, Dhoni ranks as the sixth-highest run-scorer. He has scored 5,377 runs in 272 matches and 237 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 38.96 with 24 half-centuries. His top IPL score remains an unbeaten 84.
Dhoni’s 2025 IPL Performance
Even in the 2025 season, Dhoni has showcased his finishing abilities. Across eight innings, he has scored 134 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 152.27, with a top score of 30 not out.
His continued contributions with the bat have been vital for CSK’s middle and lower-order stability.
Eyes on Dhoni as Milestone Beckons
As he took the field for his 400th T20 match, fans and teammates alike hoped Dhoni could once again inspire CSK.
In what was shaping up to be a critical match in the tournament, Dhoni’s experience and composure were expected to make all the difference for the “Men in Yellow.”
