IPL: Spinners who have dismissed MS Dhoni most times
What's the story
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been entertaining his fans with his blistering death-over cameos in IPL 2024.
The former Chennai Super Kings captain was unbeaten this season before getting dismissed in Match 49 against Punjab Kings. He was run-out on the final delivery.
Dhoni, who came out in the 18th over, struggled against leg-spinner Rahul Chahar.
Here are the spinners who have dominated Dhoni (IPL).
Context
Why does this story matter?
Over the years, Dhoni has been struggling against spinners in the IPL. Even in the second half of his international career, spinners perturbed him.
Interestingly, Dhoni's strike rate against spinners plunges to 108.59 in T20 cricket.
Several spinners have exploited Dhoni's weakness as of now.
His battle with Chahar in the CSK-PBKS encounter is a testament to the same.
#1
Pragyan Ojha: 6 wickets
Former Indian bowler Pragyan Ojha often cramped up Dhoni in his early days.
The left-arm orthodox spinner, who also played under Dhoni for Team India, holds the record for dismissing him most times in the IPL.
Dhoni fell to Ojha a total of six times, striking at a mere 102.08. The tally includes as many as 40 dot balls.
#2
Yuzvendra Chahal: 3 wickets
Yuzvendra Chahal, the only bowler with 200 IPL wickets, has also found success bowling to Dhoni.
Although the leg-spinner has dismissed Dhoni thrice in the IPL, the latter has a slightly better strike rate in this regard (128.20).
Dhoni has smacked 100 runs off 78 balls against Chahal (7 sixes and 3 fours).
Meanwhile, Chahal has bowled 28 dot balls to Dhoni.
#3
Varun Chakravarthy: 3 wickets
Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is one bowler who has outfoxed Dhoni the most in recent times.
Notably, Chakravarthy has uprooted Dhoni thrice in just four IPL innings.
Dhoni's strike rate against the KKR spinner falls to just 68.75. The tally includes a solitary boundary (four).
Of the 16 deliveries bowled to Dhoni, 10 have been dot.
#4
Rahul Chahar: 2 wickets
Leg-spinner Chahar's tactics against Dhoni in the CSK-PBKS game were quite visible.
The latter was unable to make any impact whatsoever against Chahar.
Notably, Chahar has dismissed Dhoni twice in just six IPL innings. He has restricted Dhoni's strike rate to a platry 55.88.
While Chahar averages 9.50 with the ball against Dhoni, he has conceded a solitary six.