How MS Dhoni statistically stands against other wicketkeeper-batsmen

All-time XIs are a fashion these. MS Dhoni will be one of the first names in many of the all-time ODI sides. The journey of Dhoni is well-known and well documented in many features, books and even a movie. Over the decade-and-half, he has piled up records, some of which will be difficult to conquer.

India had produced some great glove-men, but their batting remained a handicap which impacted the side's climb. In the age where players couldn't just be picked on their keeping skills, India had made a makeshift arrangement in ODIs with Rahul Dravid volunteering for the keeper's role. Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik showed enough promise, but Dhoni would completely change the game.

On Dhoni’s 39th birth anniversary, let’s look at some unusual stat-facts.

Wicketkeepers with most ODI runs

Just like the fans, Dhoni has many critics. It may be argued that Dhoni’s average [Runs/(Innings – Not Outs)] is boosted by the number of not outs. Sangakkara has batted the most at No.3 where he averaged almost 45 at an 80+ strike rate. Dhoni has batted mostly at No.6. At No.3 and 4, he has batted 46 times, averages over 65 at a strike rate of over 95. Early in his career, he was at his destructive best at the top. The fact that he pushed himself down the order to provide batting depth and ended up being a remarkable finisher is another testimony to his greatness.

Dhoni’s 183 not out that came against Sri Lanka in 2005 remains the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs.

Highest batting averages by wicketkeeper batsmen in ODIs (cut-off 1,000 runs)

Interpreting the numbers, the South Africans are ruling the roost. AB de Villiers is arguably the greatest ODI batsman of all time. Quinton de Kock has evolved into the role of a modern-day Adam Gilchrist. Not only the southpaw scores runs, but he also gets them at a brisk pace.

To Dhoni’s defence, he doesn’t enjoy the luxury of batting at a specific number. From No.3 to No.7, he has used himself as a floater prioritising the team’s requirements and adapting to them.

The fact is well captured in the following quote.

"Probably world cricket has missed one thing, and that is MS didn't bat at No.3. Had MS not captained India and batted at No.3, probably world cricket would have seen a completely different player; probably he could have got many more runs, he would have broken many more records. He would have been the most exciting cricketer in the world, had he not captained India and had he batted at No.3," Gautam Gambhir recently said.

Dhoni is the only wicketkeeper-batsman with over 3,500 runs to average over 50. In fact, only two keeper-batsmen average over 45 with that many runs in ODIs – Dhoni and de Kock.

Highest Strike Rate among wicketkeepers in ODIs

Buttler at the top doesn’t come as a surprise. He has been instrumental in England’s rise in limited-overs cricket. When we move down the table, we notice that some of the power-hitting keeper-batters average in the early-30s, which projects either inconsistency or quick-fire cameos. De Kock is certainly an exception.

There’s a column at the end I have added to show after how many innings the player scores 50+ at an average. Considering the fact that Dhoni has often played the role of a floater, his consistency is remarkable.

Highest ODI batting averages in successful run-chases

No cricketer has finished ODIs better than Virat Kohli. However, Dhoni is the only cricketer to average over 100 in successful ODI chases.

In addition to all of that, Dhoni has won all the ICC trophies, has led most ODIs (332) as a captain, and also has most wins for any IPL captain.

Most dismissals as wicketkeeper in international cricket

MS Dhoni has the most stumpings for any wicketkeeper in international cricket. He’s arguably the greatest wicketkeeper against spin bowling.

Dhoni hasn’t really replicated his ODI success in Test cricket. However, if we see the batting and wicketkeeping numbers since Dhoni’s Test debut (December 2005), they will provide a clearer picture. Let's sort by averages and cut-off of 1,500 runs.

Dhoni retired in 2014. He continues to be the leading run-getter from the time he debuted till date. He has achieved the numbers while leading India in the 60 of the 90 Tests that he has played. Dhoni also leads the roost when it comes to dismissals with 294 scalps.

Dhoni has third-most runs for a keeper-batsman in Test cricket behind Adam Gilchrist (5,570) and Mark Boucher (5,515). Boucher has played 62 more innings than Dhoni in Tests. Only eight wicketkeepers have amassed over 4,000 runs in Test cricket, Only Andy Flower (53.7), Gilchrist (47.6) and Matt Prior (40.2) average more than him. Dhoni also stands fifth among most dismissals in Test cricket behind Boucher, Gilchrist, Ian Healy and Rod Marsh.