IPL 2019: These MS Dhoni stats pose big threat for Virat Kohli’s RCB ahead of opener against CSK

Dhoni and Kohli have been two of the most illustrious Indian players for a while now but the duo have enjoyed different fortunes in the cash-rich league.

The 12th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin with a mouth-watering clash between MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

File image of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. (PTI)

Dhoni and Kohli have been two of the most illustrious Indian players for a while now but the duo have enjoyed different fortunes in the cash-rich league. While Dhoni has led CSK to multiple titles, RCB are yet to taste success in the league under the leadership of their star man.

It was only fitting that Dhoni and Kohli will lock horns against each other to mark the opening of arguably the best T20 league in the world. While the defending champions will look to get off to a good start at home, Kohli’s RCB will look for a statement win against one of the most consistent teams in the competition.

However, things aren’t going to be easy as record suggests that whenever Dhoni dons the yellow of Chennai, he takes his already-incredible game to a new level.

Dhoni has played 175 IPL matches thus far and it is the second-most in the history of the tournament, behind only to teammate Suresh Raina. Out of these, Dhoni has led in 159 games and has managed to lead his team to wins in 94 matches — the most by any captain in the IPL.

Dhoni’s win rate of 59.49 is the second-best in IPL and he is only behind Australia’s Steve Smith, who leads the chart with 66.6. These stunning numbers have been responsible for CSK winning three titles — the joint most in the league with Mumbai Indians.

Dhoni is one of three captains to have won multiple IPL trophies as skipper with the same franchise.He was the first to do so (2010, 2011& 2018), followed by Gautam Gambhir with Kolkata Knight Riders (2012 & 2014) & Rohit Sharma with Mumba Indians (2013, 2015 & 2017).

Apart from these team milestones, Dhoni personal records are also second to none. The former India skipper is second on the list of most runs scored by a CSK player in the tournament and he is only behind Raina. Overall, he stands at seventh in the list.

Dhoni also holds the record of most sixes by an Indian player in the IPL. With 186 maximums to his name, Dhoni is only behind Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers who have slammed 292 and 187 sixes respectively.

Not to forget Dhoni’s heroics behind the stumps as he has effected 116 dismissals so far in the tournament and he second only to Dinesh Karthik, who has pulled off 124 dismissals from behind the stumps.