Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday became the first player to feature in 200 Indian Premier League matches after he stepped onto the field for Chennai Super Kings’ match against Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. During the two-year ban period, in 2016 and 2017, Dhoni moved to Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS). He played 30 matches for them. Dhoni had captained RPS in 2016 but was replaced by Steve Smith for the next season. Dhoni is followed by Rohit Sharma on the list of most capped players in IPL. With 197 caps, the MI captain sits at the second spot and will soon don his 200th cap.
Rohit, who also played for Deccan Chargers from 2008 to 2010, has only missed two IPL matches. With 193 caps, Suresh Raina comes at the third spot. He has played 193 matches for two franchises - Gujarat Lions and CSK. Raina, who was most-capped player before the start of IPL 2020, could have become the first player to participate in 200 matches but he had pulled out of the league.Dinesh Karthik, with 191 IPL caps, is another player who can play 200 IPL matches in the ongoing season. Dhoni, who has been a regular face in IPL since its inception, has played for Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant while breaking several records in T20 cricket. The former Indian captain has helped Chennai Super Kings win three IPL trophies while being the only captain to take CSK to the playoffs in every season they have participated in the IPL so far.
