While it is almost impossible to put MS Dhoni's IPL legacy into words, Captain Cool who has now played for Chennai in over 260 games has had his fair share of upheavals in his 17-year-long IPL career.
From in-house disagreements to the bittersweet experience of relinquishing his esteemed captaincy to being the most expensive buy... truly, this son of Ranchi, a distinguished luminary of Indian cricket, has had a roller-coaster of an IPL journey.
Let's have a brief look at 10 of his IPL career highlights-
5,000 runs as batter-wicketkeeper - 2024
In a game against LSG in 2024, Dhoni joined an elite list of keeper-batters when he amassed 5000 runs
Champions, yet again! - 2023
In 2023, amid widespread speculations around his final moments with Chennai, MS Dhoni once again proved his leadership skills when he led Chennai Super Kings to a record-equalling fifth IPL title.
The Jadeja-Dhoni hug - 2023
In a deviation from his usual calm demeanor, an overwhelmed Dhoni was captured lifting Ravindra Jadeja in his arms after the latter helped CSK clinch victory against Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL final.
MSD signs Sunil Gavaskar’s shirt - 2023
It was an iconic fan moment as former India captain Sunil Gavaskar got his shirt signed by MS Dhoni during CSK’s last home match against KKR in IPL 2023.
As Dhoni and his team were doing a lap around the Chepauk stadium, Gavaskar ran towards MS to get his shirt signed. Gavaskar said later that it was an emotional moment for him.
200th match as CSK captain - 2023
Chennai's match against Rajasthan Royals which the visitors won at the MA Chidambaram stadium was MSD’s 200th game as Chennai’s skipper. Overall it was his 214th assignment as IPL captain.
He also became the first player in IPL history to captain a side in 200 matches. He joined the side in 2008 in the first edition and since then he has been part of the team for all the IPL editions in which CSK played.
Captain Cool’s not-so-cool side- 2019
It was a never-seen-before incident as the perpetually cool MSD lost his calm and stormed onto the ground to question the umpire's no-ball decision. While he was harshly criticised for that behaviour, he was only charged a lenient 50% match fee.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan went on to slam Dhoni by saying, 'You cannot be sending out that message even if you are MS Dhoni'
The stellar return- 2018
It was after 6 seasons and 2 years of the ban that the MS Dhoni-led side recaptured Chennai’s lost glory as the Yellow Army won their 3rd IPL in 2018. CSK defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by 8 wickets to clinch the 2018 title.
CSK's Shane Watson emerged as the star of the show with a blazing 117* off 57 balls.
Steve Smith replaces MSD as skipper- 2017
For the first time, MS Dhoni was removed from the captaincy in 2017, with Rising Pune Supergiant wanting a ‘youngster’ to lead the team instead of the Rachi-born cricketer.
The captaincy duties were handed over to then 27-year-old Steve Smith, who was also captaining the Australian team at that time.
Dhoni’s first IPL triumph
The 2010 win was not only their first but also their most special win. MSD's supremacy as a leader was again on display as he led a struggling Chennai to their first-ever IPL victory. Since then. Thala has won 4 more IPL editions – 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
In 2010 however, CSK somehow managed to qualify for the playoffs, but from there on they only rose upwards. They first defeated Deccan Chargers and then lifted the trophy by outfoxing Mumbai Indians in the epic final.
2008’s most expensive buy
On April 19, 2008, MS Dhoni, the then most expensive IPL buy made his IPL debut as the skipper of Chennai Super Kings. While Super Kings won by 33 runs against the erstwhile Kings XI Punjab, Dhoni scored only 2 runs off 3 balls.
Dhoni, who had led an unfancied Indian team to a T20 World Cup victory just the previous year in 2007 was the hottest buzz in the market.
Chennai, who are still holding on to the 3-time World Cup winning Indian captain after 17-long years had bought the then 26-years old for 6 crores.