From sixes to stumpings .. celebrating 40 years!
Former Indian cricket captain Dhoni celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday. Dhoni’s fans celebrated by circulating on social media with the hashtag #HappyBirthdayDhoni. Here are the top 10 achievements of Dhoni, who is considered to be the undisputed captain in the history of Indian cricket.
1. Though Kapil Dev and Ganguly are known as the best captains of India, Dhoni has always excelled in one thing. That means he is proud to have won all three ICC trophies. Under Dhoni’s leadership, India won three titles: the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50 – over World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.
2. Dhoni was appointed captain of the T20 team in 2007 and then captain of all types of cricket in 2008. He has captained India for 332 matches. This is a world record. Prior to Dhoni, Australia’s Ricky Ponting captained 324 matches.
3. Dhoni also holds the record for most wins by a captain. India, led by Dhoni, has won 338 matches and won 178 matches. Similarly, Dhoni has captained only 200 ODIs. This is something no captain in the world does.
4. Dhoni is the only Indian captain to have scored more runs so far. Dhoni, who has captained 200 ODIs, has amassed 6641 runs at an average of 53.56. No other Indian captain has done this feat. Internationally, Dhoni is next to Ricky Ponting.
5. Dhoni also has the distinction of being the captain to score the most sixes. Dhoni has hit 204 sixes in 200 ODIs. This is seen as a milestone that no one has ever reached in the history of international cricket.
6. Dhoni, who is the captain of the Chennai Super Kings in IPL matches, has also set a record in this. Dhoni is the only captain in IPL history to have won more matches. Dhoni, who has captained CSK for 174 matches so far, has won 104 matches.
7. Dhoni also holds the record for most runs scored by a wicketkeeper-batsman internationally. In the ODIs against Sri Lanka in 2005, Dhoni scored 183 off 145 balls. That includes a total of 10 scissors and 14 fours.
8. There are no captains internationally who have flown sixes and won the World Cup. That record also belongs to Dhoni. In the final of the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni won the toss and was elected to field.
9. Dhoni also holds the record for most stumpings by a wicket-keeper. Dhoni, who has been the wicket-keeper for 538 matches in T20s, ODIs, and Tests, has stumped 195 times. This is a world record. He is followed by Sri Lanka’s Kumara Sangakkara who has stumped 139 times.
10. Dhoni also holds the record of being the greatest wicket-keeper in the history of Indian cricket. Dhoni has bowled a total of 829 times in international cricket. That includes 195 stumpings and 634 catches.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been a great inspiration to many people. More than a cricketer he captured millions of hearts with his personality and living as a legend among the people.
