Xtra Time Web Desk: Chennai Super Kings Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni added yet another feather to his cap. The talisman on Monday became the first player to feature in 200 Indian Premier League matches after he stepped onto the field to toss against Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Since the start of the cash rich league in 2008, Dhoni has been a regular for the franchise except the two years when CSK was in exile due to the ban.
‘I got to know from you, it’s just a number’ Dhoni said on playing 200 IPL game at the toss on Monday.
Of his 200 matches, 170 of them have been in the yellow jersey, while the remaining 30 were for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, for whom he represented in 2016 and 2017. The former Indian captain has helped CSK to three IPL titles and has also taken the franchise to the playoffs in every season so far.
Dhoni is closely followed by Mumbai Indians Captain Rohit Sharma who has played 197 matches so far. Suresh Raina, who has skipped this edition of for personal reasons has 192 matches under his belt. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman has also accumulated 4568 runs in IPL while winning numerous matches with the willow for the Chennai outfit. He holds a stunning average of 41.52 with a highest score of 84 not-out.
Dhoni, who announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, has achieved everything in the world of cricket and the new milestone of 200 IPL appearances looks like a cherry on top of a trophy-laden career.
Regarded as arguably the greatest captain of all-time, Dhoni’s fresh achievement in the world of cricket is just one of those records which the veteran has achieved in his illustrious career.