New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni added yet another feather to his cap on Friday as took the field for the 200th time in T20s for his franchise in Match 7 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Dhoni is the first player to feature in 200 matches for 3-time champions CSK, which also includes the 24 games he led them in the Champions League T20. Dhoni is already the most-capped player in the IPL with this being his 206th match. He featured in 30 matches for the Rising Pune Supergiant when CSK were serving their two-year ban from the IPL in 2016 and 2017.
Notably, MS Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings in all but one game. Suresh Raina led the team in a Champions League T20 in 2012 wherein Dhoni even bowled.
Dhoni has led CSK since the very beginning in 2008 during which time he won the IPL 3 times in 2010, 2011 and 2018. He also clinched the Champions League T20 title twice in 2010 and 2014.
Social media was abuzz with congratulatory messages for Dhoni as he came out for the toss with Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul. MS Dhoni got off to the perfect start in the milestone match as he won the toss and Chennai Super Kings opted to bowl at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. As expected, CSK did not make any changes to the playing XI despite losing the opening match.
Speaking about his approach to the game, Dhoni said: "Cricket is a mental game and adaptability is a key factor. Overall it's a mental game than the physical aspect."
On the other hand, Punjab Kings, who won their high-scoring opener against Rajasthan Royals, also fielded an unchanged XI.