6 Facts of MS Dhoni Which You May Not Know!

The former India skipper, MS Dhoni celebrated his 37^th birthday on Saturday with the whole Indian team.

The Men in Blue arrived in Bristol for the deciding T20I which is slated to be played on Sunday. The celebration videos went viral on the social media platforms. A birthday party in the recent times is always huge in the Indian dressing room. It was no different. As Dhoni shared on his Instagram handle, the young boys got an opportunity to boss around the captain for the first time.

Despite his age, Dhoni is still one of the most important players in the team. His contributions for the team will be very vital for India’s chances in the ODI series and the World Cup slated to be held next year.

Dhoni has created quite a few records in his career. However, there are few which you may not be aware of.

Now without wasting any time, let us have a look at six facts of Dhoni who you may not know –

• India has played 1563 international matches since their 1^st Test in 1932. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been part of 500 international games India has played so far. It is 32% of all the matches India has played. It is a big number especially given the fact that he debuted only in 2005 and India is playing international cricket since 1932. However, the number of international matches are much more now, and hence he has played a higher percentage of games for the national team. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have achieved this feat.

• Indian wicket-keeper has affected 2591 dismissals in international cricket. Out of them, Dhoni has inflicted 776 dismissals. It counts to 29% of all the number of dismissals which is the most among Indian wicket-keepers. With the number of matches he has played for the national team, there was no wonder Dhoni would be holding the record. He is a street-smart wicket-keeper and has been very effective despite not being a traditional wicket-keeper.

• He has scored two centuries batting at No 7 for India. It is the most at that particular position by an Indian in limited-overs cricket.

• Ms Dhoni has played most matches in international cricket as a designated wicket-keeper. All the 500 games he has played, Dhoni had been a wicket-keeper which is the most in world cricket.

• MS Dhoni holds the record for most stumpings in international cricket. No one is close to his tally of 178 stumpings in international cricket. No wicket-keeper in the world is faster than Dhoni in whipping the bails off in a flash.

• Among wicket-keepers Dhoni has bowled the most number of times in international cricket. He was playing as a wicket-keeper all those nine occasions but decided to give his pad to another member and bowled a bit.