10 amazing achievements by Captain MS Dhoni: Dhoni holds numerous captaincy records such as most wins by an Indian captain in Tests and ODIs, and most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs. He took over the ODI captaincy from Rahul Dravid in 2007 and led the team to its first-ever bilateral ODI series wins in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
He is billed as an ‘instinctive’ captain, unorthodox and takes decisions that surprise many ‘in the business’. Otherwise how do we explain in him making Joginder Sharma bowl the 20th over in the Final game against Pakistan in the inaugural ICC T20I World Cup and go on to win the title?
It was under his captaincy that India climbed to No. 1 in the ICC Test Rankings in December 2009. After that he managed to lead India in a series-leveling world championship of Tests against the South Africans in February 2010. India also managed to draw the Test series 1–1 in South Africa later that year.
Dhoni also successfully led India to win the ICC World Cup 2011 staged by India, (Pakistan) and Sri Lanka. The Cup was won after 28 years, since Kapil’s Devils’ won it way back in 1983.
Only nine players have captained ten or more Tests playing as a wicket-keeper. Here are 10 amazing achievements by Indian captain MS Dhoni.
- First wicketkeeper to lead India in a Test.
- India’s most successful captain in Test cricket with 27 wins in 60 matches.
- Became only the eighth Indian captain to start his captaincy stint with a win (v South Africa at Kanpur in April 2008).
- Only the second Indian captain (after Sourav Ganguly) to win his first Test both at home and abroad. He led India for the first time in an overseas Test against New Zealand at Hamilton in March 2009, which was won by India by 10 wickets.
- Did not lose any of his first 11 Tests – longest unbeaten streak for any player since making captaincy debut.
- Has the highest run-aggregate as Indian captain – 3,454 runs in 60 Tests. Interestingly he surpassed the previous record holder Sunil Gavaskar in Melbourne Test after which he announced his retirement.
- He is the only Indian keeper to score 4,000 runs and effect 200 dismissals.
- Under Dhoni India won six consecutive Tests between February and November 2013 – the longest winning streak for any Indian captain.
- Only Indian captain to win five consecutive series (between 2008 and 2010).
- Became the first Indian captain to win a Test match on New Zealand soil in 33 years when he led India to 10-wicket win at Hamilton in March 2009. Before him, Sunil Gavaskar had won a Test at New Zealand soil way back in January 1976.
