There is a whole lot of noise over MS Dhoni’s batting position. In Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) last match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the former captain came to bat at number nine. Even Ravichandran Ashwin came above him, and the only players who didn’t come out to bat were Matheesha Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed.
His age, fitness, and ability to bat up the order are all being questioned. Amid all of this, Dhoni has continued to excel in his primary skill, wicketkeeping. He’s undoubtedly the greatest gloveman in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is all set to become the first keeper with 200 dismissals to his name.
MS Dhoni shows his wicketkeeping skills
In the three IPL 2025 matches so far, Dhoni has three stumpings to his name. No other wicketkeeper even has one. In the match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, he stumped in-form Nitish Rana and changed the momentum.
Ravichandran Ashwin with the much needed breakthrough as Nitish Rana departs after a fiery knock of
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) March 30, 2025: JioStar#RRvCSK #IPL2025 #Guwahati #Insidesport #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/6M0jc8k0iI
The southpaw had scored 81 (35) already. Nitish was taking Ashwin on, and that’s when the two senior pros came up with a plan. The spinner knew the batter would come out of his crease to attack him. So Ashwin deliberately bowled a wide outside off. Nitish missed the ball completely, and Dhoni took the bails off with ease.
We can question Dhoni’s batting position, age, fitness and batting prowess. What we can’t question is his quickness behind the stumps.
Most dismissals as wicketkeeper in IPL
| Wicketkeeper | Span | Innings | Dismissed | Catches | Stumpings |
| MS Dhoni | 2008-2025 | 260 | 193 | 148 | 45 |
| Dinesh Karthik | 2008-2024 | 235 | 174 | 137 | 37 |
| Wriddhiman Saha | 2008-2024 | 149 | 113 | 87 | 26 |
| Rishabh Pant | 2016-2025 | 103 | 98 | 75 | 23 |
| Robin Uthappa | 2008-2022 | 114 | 90 | 58 | 32 |
