Most Matches Played in IPL

Getting an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract is not easy. With the top names of the cricketing world fighting it out to earn a lucrative deal from the IPL franchises, only a handful of players manage to earn the contracts.

While some players have even struggled to get an IPL contract, especially regularly, several players have consistently played in the tournament. Some players are playing in the tournament since the inaugural season in 2008. Some players are playing for the same franchise for more than a decade.

It is not surprising that most of those players are now considered the legends of the IPL. They have been performing consistently for their respective franchises and are proud owners of several records. One such player also holds the record for playing most matches in the IPL.

Enjoying such a long career is also a testament to a player’s longevity, fitness, and sustained performance. In a tournament where a handful of poor performances could cost the players their contract, these players have delivered consistently.

The long career also shows the players' love for the tournament. One such example is none other than MS Dhoni. Even though the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman has retired from international cricket, he has continued playing in the IPL.

Dhoni has been playing in the IPL since the inaugural season in 2008. Some other players who have played in all the seasons of the IPL so far are Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik.

The record for playing most matches in the IPL is held by Dhoni. The former India skipper has played 264 games in the tournament so far. Barring the two seasons when Chennai Super Kings were suspended, he has played only for the Chennai-based outfit in the IPL.

During the two suspended seasons, he plied his trade for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant. Dhoni is also one of the most decorated captains in the history of the IPL. Under his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings have won a record five IPL titles.

Dhoni is followed by Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma. Both the players have played 257 games in the IPL. With Karthik retiring from the IPL after the 2024 season, Rohit is set to move ahead of him when he plays his first game in IPL 2025.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja complete the top five. Apart from Dhoni, Rohit and Karthik, Kohli is the only other player to play more than 250 games in the IPL.

No Player M Runs HS W
1 278 5439 84 -
2 265 8606 113 4
3 265 6755 109 15
4 257 4842 97 -
5 254 3260 77 170
6 222 6769 106 4
7 220 833 50 187
8 205 5528 100 25
9 205 4952 88 -
10 204 4348 100 -
11 198 5032 105 1
12 192 624 24 192
13 189 3412 87 69
14 189 1780 109 192
15 187 317 27 195
16 184 5162 133 -
17 184 6565 126 -
18 176 4638 119 -
19 174 3204 100 42
20 173 3923 114 -
21 173 37 8 219
22 170 2934 115 -
23 164 4234 103 -
24 163 833 64 150
25 163 1916 66 128
26 162 381 31 174
27 161 1560 70 183
28 155 4773 96 -
29 154 4217 93 -
30 150 2712 91 77
31 148 208 24 144
32 145 3874 117 92
33 144 5183 132 -
34 143 68 16 182
35 142 4965 175 18
36 141 2819 95 41
37 141 3077 101 -
38 140 2651 88 123
39 140 1752 86 91
40 139 2848 81 -
41 137 60 9 146
42 135 585 79 158
43 132 2750 83 36
44 131 3641 97 -
45 129 2713 106 -
46 125 3553 128 -
47 124 1496 64 10
48 122 88 17 170
49 121 4120 124 -
50 120 125 21 134
M: Matches,
W: Won,
L: Lost,
T: Tie,
N/R: No Result,
PTS: Points,
Net RR: Net run rate,
Q: Qualified

Most Matches Played in IPL FAQs

MS Dhoni holds the record for playing most matches in the IPL. The former India skipper has played in all the seasons of the IPL so far. He has represented Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant in the tournament. Dhoni has played 264 games in the IPL so far.

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar played in the IPL from 2008 to 2013. He played all the six seasons for Mumbai Indians. During his illustrious career, the former India batsman played 78 games in the IPL and scored 2334 runs with the help of a century and 13 half-centuries.

MS Dhoni has played most matches for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. The former India skipper has played 230 games for the franchise so far.

Rohit Sharma has played most matches for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He has played 212 games for them so far. Rohit started his career with now-defunct Deccan Chargers before being signed up by Mumbai Indians in 2011.
logo
Stay Updated with the Latest Cricket News from Cricket Addictor.

You will receive the latest updates on cricket news throughout the day. You can manage them whenever you need in browser settings.