MS Dhoni vs Shreyas Iyer: Comparing Their Captaincy Record in the IPL After 70 Matches

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is just around the corner, with the 18th edition of the tournament set to begin on March 22. Over the years, several players have led their teams with distinction, but few have made as much impact as MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer.

MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest IPL captains, having led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles, while Shreyas Iyer has emerged as a promising leader, guiding Delhi Capitals (DC) to their first-ever IPL final and later leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the 2024 championship.

This article provides an in-depth comparison of MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy records in the IPL after their first 70 matches, analyzing their win percentages, playoff performances, and personal batting contributions as captains.

1. MS Dhoni vs Shreyas Iyer – Overall Captaincy Record After 70 Matches

MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer have both captained their teams in 70 IPL matches, but how do they compare in terms of wins and losses?

Player	Matches	Wins	Losses	No Result	Win %
MS Dhoni	70	42	27	1	60.87%
Shreyas Iyer	70	40	29	1	54.28%

Analysis of MS Dhoni vs Shreyas Iyer Overall Records:

• MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in his first 70 matches from 2008 to 2012, registering 42 wins with a win percentage of 60.87%.
• Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, has captained two franchises—Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—winning 40 matches with a win percentage of 54.28%.
• Dhoni has a clear edge in terms of win percentage, showcasing his ability to consistently deliver results as a captain.

2. MS Dhoni vs Shreyas Iyer Performance in Playoff Matches

The true test of a captain is their ability to lead the team in high-pressure playoff matches. Let’s compare how MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer have performed in playoffs after 70 matches as captain.

Player	Playoff Matches	Wins	Losses
MS Dhoni	7	5	2
Shreyas Iyer	7	4	3

Analysis of Their Playoff Records:

• MS Dhoni’s CSK played 7 playoff matches in his first 70 games as captain, winning five and losing two.
• Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK reached the IPL finals in 2008, 2010, and 2011, winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011.
• Shreyas Iyer also led his teams (DC and KKR) in 7 playoff matches, winning four and losing three.
• Iyer guided DC to their first-ever IPL final in 2020 and later won the IPL with KKR in 2024.
• Dhoni once again holds an advantage here, winning more playoff matches and securing two IPL titles in his first 70 games.

3. MS Dhoni vs Shreyas Iyer – Batting Records as Captain After 70 Matches

Apart from leadership skills, captains also play a key role as batters. Here’s how MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer have performed with the bat in their first 70 matches as captain.

Player	Innings	Runs	Batting Average	Strike Rate	Fifties	Highest Score
MS Dhoni	61	1,626	37.81	135.61	8	70 vs RCB (2011)*
Shreyas Iyer	69	1,994	33.81	129.16	12	93 vs KKR (2018)*

Analysis of Their Batting Performance as Captains:

• MS Dhoni scored 1,626 runs in 61 innings, averaging 37.81 with a strike rate of 135.61.
• Dhoni’s eight fifties include a high score of 70 against RCB in 2011*.
• Shreyas Iyer has scored more runs (1,994 in 69 innings) but at a lower batting average of 33.81.
• Iyer has also hit more fifties (12), with a highest score of 93 against KKR in 2018*.
• Dhoni has a better average and strike rate, proving his impactful batting in pressure situations.

4. Leadership Style: Experience vs. Modern Approach

MS Dhoni’s Captaincy Style

• Known as “Captain Cool”, Dhoni is famous for his calm, composed, and strategic leadership.
• He backs players through rough patches and is a master at handling pressure in tight situations.
• His ability to read the game, use spinners effectively, and execute last-over finishes has made him one of the greatest IPL captains.
• Dhoni trusted experienced players like Raina, Jadeja, and Bravo to perform in crucial moments.

Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy Style

• Iyer is a modern-era captain, focusing on aggressive, attacking cricket.
• He emphasizes fitness, fielding, and aggressive batting strategies.
• Under his leadership, DC and KKR have improved their bowling depth and tactical approach.
• Unlike Dhoni, who relies on experience, Iyer has a youth-driven approach, giving chances to youngsters like Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, and Rinku Singh.

5. Achievements as Captain After 70 Matches

Achievement	MS Dhoni	Shreyas Iyer
IPL Titles Won	2 (2010, 2011)	1 (2024)
Finals Reached	3	2
Highest Playoff Finish	Champions (2010, 2011)	Champions (2024), Runner-Up (2020)
Win %	60.87%	54.28%

Final Verdict: Who Has the Better Captaincy Record?

✅ MS Dhoni has a better overall win percentage (60.87%) compared to Iyer’s 54.28%.
✅ Dhoni has won more playoff matches and led CSK to two IPL titles in his first 70 games.
✅ Dhoni’s strike rate and finishing ability as a batsman are superior to Iyer’s.
✅ Iyer has scored more runs as captain but at a lower average and strike rate.
✅ Both captains have led their teams to at least one IPL title.

Who Wins the Comparison?

While Shreyas Iyer has shown promise, MS Dhoni’s leadership, playoff performances, and ability to win titles make him the clear winner in this comparison. Dhoni’s calm approach, tactical expertise, and finishing ability have made him one of the greatest captains in IPL history.