Everyone’s watching MS Dhoni as he gets ready for his 18th IPL season, still playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at 43! CSK paid him Rs 4 crore to stay, and he’s already led them to five IPL titles. Now, he’s close to setting three big records that might be impossible for anyone else to beat.
People think this might be his last season, so this cricket legend has a real chance to make his mark with these achievements.
**200 Catches as Wicketkeeper**
Right now, Dhoni has the most catches as a wicketkeeper in IPL history. In 264 games, he’s caught 190 balls and stumped 42, with a total of 232 dismissals. He caught 148 of those while playing for Chennai Super Kings, and the rest for Rising Pune Supergiants. Once, he even caught four balls in a single game!
If Dhoni catches or stumps 10 more balls this season, he’ll be the first wicketkeeper to hit 200 in the IPL. It’s a record that could last for years. Of the current players, Rishabh Pant is closest, but he’s way behind with only 95 catches from 111 games. Getting to 200 dismissals would just make Dhoni even more of a legend as the best wicketkeeper ever in the league.
**Oldest Player to Score a Half-Century in IPL**
Dhoni could also become the oldest player to score a half-century in the IPL. Right now, that record belongs to Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian wicketkeeper, who scored 85 not out against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013 when he was 41 years and 181 days old. If Dhoni scores a half-century this season at 43, he’ll beat Gilchrist.
To do it, Dhoni might need to bat higher up the order to get more time at the crease. His last IPL half-century was when he was 40 years and 262 days old against Kolkata Knight Riders.
**Becoming CSK’s Highest Run-Scorer**
Dhoni is also close to being Chennai Super Kings’ top run-scorer in IPL history. He’s got 4,669 runs for CSK at the moment, just behind Suresh Raina, who has 4,687 runs. Dhoni only needs 18 more runs to pass Raina and grab that record.
If Dhoni beats Raina in CSK’s first game, it’ll cement his legendary status with the team and its fans. This record is a big deal because Dhoni has been with the team for so long – he’s been the face of CSK since the IPL started in 2008.
As people keep saying that this might be Dhoni’s last IPL season, fans are hoping he’ll finish strong. If Dhoni gets these three achievements, he’ll leave an amazing legacy as one of the best captains and finishers, and also as a record-breaking wicketkeeper and batter. This 18th season of the IPL might be the perfect way for Captain Cool to say goodbye.
