Dhoni once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, producing a vintage finish in IPL 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants. With his match-winning innings, Dhoni not only bagged his 18th Player of the Match accolade in the history of IPL but also found himself in exclusive company along with Virat Kohli and David Warner, having the same record.
In the recent match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Dhoni came to bat in the last overs with an effect known as an “exit” just as he settled into the crease. Scoring a blistering 28 runs in only 9 balls*, Dhoni hit 3 fours and 2 sixes to lift the crowd before that old, familiar vintage finish. it is his 18th Player of the Match award for the IPL, and with this, he has tied with Virat Kohli and David Warner who have 18 POTM awards each. Only these three legends are below Rohit Sharma who tops with 19 awards. Chris Gayle has 22 Player of the Match awards whereas the South African and RCB legend AB de Villiers is at the number one position with 25 awards.
POTM List of IPL:
- 25 – AB de Villiers
- 22 – Chris Gayle
- 19 – Rohit Sharma
- 18 – MS Dhoni
- 18 – David Warner
- 18 – Virat Kohli
But this was more than just another ephemeral bonanza. With these runs, Dhoni reached the monumental field of personal achievement of 5169 IPL runs along with Virat Kohli, forever tied in this elite cohort. He becomes the first-ever wicketkeeper-batter who earns well above 5,000 runs in the history of IPL, which indeed speaks of his class and consistency through all these years.
Social media lit up with praise, with many calling it a “goosebumps” moment. Commentators, former players, and fans alike celebrated not just the knock, but the legacy of a man who continues to write his own story in cricket’s biggest league.
Off the field, Dhoni remains the backbone of the CSK squad. His presence in the dugout, calmness under pressure, and the belief he instills in young players is priceless. And when he walks out to bat, there’s always magic in the air just like there was against LSG.
For fans, it was more than just numbers. It was a reminder of the Dhoni we’ve all grown up watching calmly under pressure, fearless in the final overs, and always ready to deliver when it matters most. His innings may not have changed the match result, but it certainly won hearts all over again.
As the IPL 2024 season moves ahead, one thing is clear: MS Dhoni isn’t done yet. He’s not just playing matches; he’s building moments that fans will never forget.
