The retired Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh proclaimed that MS Dhoni exhibited exceptional wicketkeeping skills and instinctual hand speed as he turned 43 prior to the 2025 IPL season. Even though he defended during his 17th IPL season and exceeded his average age last year Dhoni demonstrated exceptional speed in his movements.
MS Dhoni played all 14 matches for CSK in the 2024 IPL where he scored 161 runs while having a hitting rate above 220 runs per 100 balls and performed 10 successful wicket keepings. Due to his 190–148 catches and 42 stumpings while captain of CSK Dhoni maintains the IPL record for most wickets taken by a wicketkeeper.
Harbhajan discussed Dhoni’s genius behind the wicket on ESPN Cricinfo, saying:
“I have no idea how he does it. Captaincy and batting is a different matter. I have never seen anyone with quicker hands than Dhoni. Once the ball goes behind the wicket, 9.5 out of 10 times he’ll get you out, don’t know how he does that. I don’t know what it is – Bijli ki tarah haath hai [he has lightning-quick hands].”
Harbhajan Singh
After battling an ailment during the 2023 IPL, Dhoni had knee surgery prior to the 2024 season. Under new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK just missed out on playoff qualifying in 2024 despite his quick appearances and presence as a wicketkeeper.
“His style should come with an asterisk” – Aakash Chopra
Prior to the 2025 Indian Premier League, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reiterated Harbhajan Singh’s assessment of MS Dhoni’s wicketkeeping abilities. Chopra, however, thinks that even Dhoni at his age would find it extremely difficult to duplicate his exploits in the 50-over format.
“He redefined wicketkeeping and his style should come with an asterisk – ” Don’t try this at home.” Aspiring keepers should not try to copy his technique. They should stick to a more conventional approach. Dhoni is an aberration and an outlier. I also feel in T20, very few balls go to the keeper. So it would be much harder for him if it was 50-over cricket at 43.”
Aakash Chopra
Dhoni play his final match for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup before retiring from international cricket in 2020. Since then, he has only participated in the IPL, helping CSK win championships in 2021 and 2023.
The famous wicketkeeper-batter will make his return to cricket when CSK begins IPL 2025 on Sunday March 23 to face the Mumbai Indians.
