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On April 25, 2025, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a moment that will be etched in cricketing folklore. MS Dhoni, the legendary Chennai Super Kings captain, strode onto the field to play his 400th T20 match during the IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Chepauk crowd erupted in a rousing ovation, celebrating not just a number, but the enduring legacy of a cricketing icon whose name is synonymous with T20 excellence.
MS Dhoni achieves a colossus of 400 matches in the shortest format
Dhoni’s 400th T20 appearance places him in a rarefied club—he is only the fourth Indian to reach this milestone, joining Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and Virat Kohli. Yet, his journey is unique. Since making his T20 debut for India in 2006, Dhoni has redefined the role of a wicketkeeper-batter and captain. Across 400 T20s, he has amassed over 7,500 runs at a strike rate hovering around 136, with 28 fifties and a reputation for finishing games in style.
His impact is most pronounced in the IPL, where he has led CSK to five titles and nine finals, cementing his status as the most successful captain in the league’s history. With more than 5,300 IPL runs and nearly 200 dismissals as a wicketkeeper, Dhoni’s numbers are matched only by his tactical acumen and calm under pressure. Even as age has tempered his batting explosiveness, his glove work remains sharp, and his presence continues to inspire teammates and fans alike.
In all the languages, it spells YELLOVE for namma THALA! 💛🦁7️⃣#Thala400 #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/VBmC8rY69K
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 25, 2025
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Dhoni leading CSK through crisis in IPL 2025
Dhoni’s 400th T20 comes at a turbulent time for CSK. The 2025 season has been fraught with challenges: a string of losses, a misfiring top order, and the injury to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, which forced Dhoni back into the leadership role. The franchise, once a model of consistency, now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table, grappling with powerplay woes and an underperforming middle order.
Yet, amid the adversity, Dhoni’s leadership has been a beacon. He has batted higher up the order, seeking to stabilize the innings and inject momentum when needed. Behind the stumps, his reflexes have defied his 43 years, with age-defying stumpings and crucial dismissals. The CSK faithful, while disappointed with the team’s results, continue to rally behind their talisman, hoping for a turnaround reminiscent of past comebacks.
