MS Dhoni IPL Captaincy Record and Statistics

MS Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in IPL history. He led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to 5 IPL titles and built a strong team over many seasons. From his first season in 2008 to his later years, Dhoni's calm leadership and smart decisions made him a special captain.
MS Dhoni IPL Captaincy Record – Overall Statistics
MS Dhoni has captained 235 IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant. He has won 136 matches and lost 97, with 2 matches ending without a result.
Here is his complete IPL captaincy record:
| No. | Statistics | Record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Teams Captained | CSK, RPS |
2 | Captaincy Period | 2008–2025 |
3 | Matches | 235 |
4 | Wins | 136 |
5 | Losses | 97 |
6 | No Results | 2 |
7 | Win Percentage* | 58.37% |
8 | IPL Titles | 5 |
*Win percentage is calculated as 136 wins divided by 233 decided matches, excluding 2 no-results.
MS Dhoni IPL Captaincy Record Team-Wise
Dhoni captained 2 IPL teams during his career: Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant. Most of his captaincy success came with CSK.
MS Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings Captain
Dhoni became the first captain of Chennai Super Kings in 2008. Under his leadership, CSK became one of the strongest teams in IPL history.
He captained CSK in 221 matches, winning 131 and losing 88. The team also had 2 matches without a result.
His biggest achievement was winning 5 IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
CSK also reached 10 IPL finals under his leadership. This shows how consistently the team performed during his captaincy.
MS Dhoni as Rising Pune Supergiant Captain
CSK and Rajasthan Royals were suspended from the IPL for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
During this period, Dhoni joined Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) and captained the team in the 2016 season.
He led RPS in 14 matches, winning 5 and losing 9. In 2017, Steve Smith became the team's captain.
Although Dhoni did not win a title with RPS, this period added another chapter to his IPL captaincy career.
MS Dhoni IPL Titles as Captain
Winning IPL trophies is one of the biggest measures of a captain's success. Dhoni won 5 IPL titles with CSK.
| Year | Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
2010 | CSK | Champion |
2011 | CSK | Champion |
2018 | CSK | Champion |
2021 | CSK | Champion |
2023 | CSK | Champion |
His first title came in 2010 when CSK defeated Mumbai Indians in the final. In 2011, CSK successfully defended the trophy.
After returning from suspension in 2018, CSK won another title. The team also lifted the trophy in 2021 and 2023.
The 2023 victory was particularly special because Dhoni was 41 years old at the time.
MS Dhoni IPL Captaincy Record Season-Wise
The following table shows CSK's season results under Dhoni and his 2016 record with Rising Pune Supergiant.
| Season | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | CSK | 16 | 9 | 7 | Runner-up |
2009 | CSK | 14 | 8 | 6 | Semi-final |
2010 | CSK | 16 | 9 | 7 | 🏆 Champion |
2011 | CSK | 16 | 11 | 5 | 🏆 Champion |
2012 | CSK | 19 | 10 | 8 | Runner-up |
2013 | CSK | 18 | 12 | 6 | Runner-up |
2014 | CSK | 16 | 10 | 6 | Playoffs |
2015 | CSK | 17 | 10 | 7 | Runner-up |
2016 | RPS | 14 | 5 | 9 | League Stage |
2018 | CSK | 16 | 11 | 5 | 🏆 Champion |
2019 | CSK | 17 | 10 | 7 | Runner-up |
2020 | CSK | 14 | 6 | 8 | League Stage |
2021 | CSK | 16 | 11 | 5 | 🏆 Champion |
2023 | CSK | 16 | 10 | 5 | 🏆 Champion |
2025 | CSK | 9 | 3 | 6 | League Stage |
Note: The table shows franchise season results, not Dhoni's individual match-by-match captaincy totals. CSK had a no-result in 2023. Dhoni was not the main captain in every match of the 2010 and 2019 seasons. CSK did not participate in 2016 and 2017. The 2022 and 2024 seasons are omitted because Dhoni was not the main captain. RPS was captained by Steve Smith in 2017.
MS Dhoni's Biggest Achievements as IPL Captain
Dhoni has achieved several major records during his IPL captaincy career.
Here are some of his biggest achievements:
🏆 5 IPL titles: He won 5 trophies with Chennai Super Kings.
✅ Back-to-back titles: CSK won consecutive IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.
🏏 Most captaincy matches: He has led in 235 IPL matches, the highest number in the tournament.
⭐ 10 IPL finals: He led CSK to 10 IPL finals.
👑 2023 title at age 41: He became champion again at the age of 41.
💛 CSK's consistency: He helped CSK reach the playoffs regularly and build a strong team.
These achievements make his captaincy record one of the most impressive in IPL history.
MS Dhoni vs Other Successful IPL Captains
Several famous players have led IPL teams, but Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have also won multiple trophies.
Here is a comparison of 4 well-known IPL captains:
| Captain | Matches | Wins | IPL Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
MS Dhoni | 235 | 136 | 5 |
Rohit Sharma | 158 | 87 | 5 |
Gautam Gambhir | 129 | 71 | 2 |
Virat Kohli | 143 | 66 | 0 |
Records are based on the captains' completed IPL captaincy careers through the relevant seasons.
Dhoni and Rohit Sharma share the record for the most IPL titles as captain, with 5 trophies each. However, Dhoni has played more matches as captain and has more wins than the other 3 players in this comparison.
Why MS Dhoni Is Considered One of the Best IPL Captains
Dhoni's success is not only about winning trophies. His leadership style has also made a big difference to CSK.
Here are 5 reasons why he is considered a great IPL captain:
1. Calm decision-making
Dhoni is famous for staying calm during difficult situations. He rarely shows panic, even when his team is under pressure.
2. Smart bowling changes
He often makes important bowling changes at the right time. His field placements also help bowlers perform better.
3. Trust in young players
Dhoni has backed several young and less experienced players. He gives them opportunities to prove their ability.
4. Handling pressure
Close matches are common in the IPL. Dhoni's experience helps him make important decisions in pressure situations.
5. Long-term consistency
CSK remained competitive across many seasons under his leadership. Winning 5 IPL titles is proof of that consistency.
Conclusion
MS Dhoni's IPL captaincy record and statistics show why he is one of the greatest leaders in the tournament. With 235 matches, 136 wins and 5 IPL titles, he has created a special place in IPL history.
His leadership helped Chennai Super Kings become one of the most successful franchises. Even after stepping down as the main CSK captain in 2024, his contribution to the team remains important.
Frequently asked questions
How many IPL trophies has MS Dhoni won as captain?
MS Dhoni has won 5 IPL trophies as CSK captain in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
How many matches has MS Dhoni captained in the IPL?
He has captained 235 IPL matches, including matches for CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant.
What is MS Dhoni's IPL captaincy win percentage?
His win percentage is 58.37% when calculated from 136 wins in 233 decided matches, excluding 2 no-results.
How many matches did Dhoni win as CSK captain?
Dhoni won 131 matches as Chennai Super Kings captain.
Did MS Dhoni captain Rising Pune Supergiant?
Yes. He captained Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2016 IPL season, winning 5 out of 14 matches.
When did MS Dhoni stop being CSK captain?
He stepped down as CSK's main captain before the 2024 IPL season.
Who replaced MS Dhoni as CSK captain?
Ruturaj Gaikwad replaced Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain in 2024.


