Dhoni Number of Centuries
MS Dhoni is one of the most iconic cricketers in Indian history, but Dhoni number of centuries often surprises fans. Unlike many batting greats, Dhoni wasn’t a century-machine — he was a match-winner, a finisher, and a captain who put the team above personal milestones.
This article breaks down exactly how many centuries MS Dhoni scored across all formats, including his ODI and Test hundreds, and explains why his legacy goes far beyond just numbers.
How Many Centuries Does MS Dhoni Have in International Cricket?
MS Dhoni scored a total of 16 international centuries for India across all formats .
- ODI centuries: 10
- Test centuries: 6
- T20I centuries: 0
These 16 hundreds came across a glorious 16-year international career from 2004 to 2019. Dhoni played 350 ODIs, 90 Tests, and 98 T20Is for India .
For a player who batted at number 5 or lower for most of his career, 16 centuries is a remarkable achievement.
MS Dhoni ODI Centuries: The Complete List
MS Dhoni scored 10 centuries in ODI cricket, finishing his career with 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57 .
His ODI hundreds were spread across a 12-year period, with his first coming in 2005 and his last in 2017 .
Key ODI Century Highlights:
- Highest ODI score: 183* off 145 balls vs Sri Lanka in Jaipur (2005) — this remains one of the greatest ODI innings ever played
- First ODI century: 148 off 123 balls vs Pakistan in Visakhapatnam (2005)
- Last ODI century: 134 off 122 balls vs England in Cuttack (2017)
- Centuries while chasing: Dhoni scored 7 of his 10 ODI hundreds while batting at No. 5 or lower — the joint-highest for any player in ODI history
Notable ODI Centuries:
- 148 vs Pakistan (2005): Announced Dhoni’s arrival on the world stage
- **183* vs Sri Lanka (2005)**: His highest ODI score, an innings of pure destruction
- 124 vs Australia (2009): A match-winning effort against a top-quality attack
- **139* vs Australia (2013)**: Showed his ability to dominate even in his later years
For a detailed list, Dhoni’s ODI centuries include knocks against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, England, and even a century against an Africa XI in 2007 .
MS Dhoni Test Centuries: A Closer Look
MS Dhoni scored 6 centuries in Test cricket, playing 90 Tests from 2005 to 2014 .
What makes these Test hundreds special is that 5 of his 6 centuries came in India, with one coming in Pakistan. He never scored a Test century outside Asia .
Key Test Century Highlights:
- Highest Test score: 224 off 265 balls vs Australia in Chennai (2013) — a double century that highlighted his ability to grind out long innings
- First Test century: 148 off 153 balls vs Pakistan in Faisalabad (2006)
- Centuries against top teams: Dhoni scored Test hundreds against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, and Australia
Dhoni’s 6 Test Centuries:
- 148 vs Pakistan (Faisalabad, 2006)
- 110 vs Sri Lanka (Ahmedabad, 2009)
- 100* vs Sri Lanka (Mumbai, 2009)
- 132* vs South Africa (Kolkata, 2010)
- 144 vs West Indies (Kolkata, 2011)
- 224 vs Australia (Chennai, 2013)
His Test average of 38.09 reflects the fact that he often batted with the tail and played in challenging conditions for wicketkeepers .
Why MS Dhoni Never Scored a Century in T20 Cricket
MS Dhoni played 98 T20Is for India but never scored a century. His highest T20I score was 56 vs England .
Why no T20I century?
- Batting position: Dhoni typically batted at No. 6 or 7, often coming in with just a few overs left
- Role: He was the finisher, not the anchor. His job was to score quick runs, not build long innings
- Strike rate focus: Dhoni’s T20I strike rate of 126.13 shows he prioritized scoring quickly over batting long
T20I Numbers:
- Matches: 98
- Runs: 1,617
- Average: 37.6
- Strike Rate: 126.13
- Fifties: 2
Interestingly, Dhoni was exceptional at finishing games in T20Is, often getting India home in tense chases without needing a big individual score.
MS Dhoni in IPL: No Century, But Still a Legend
MS Dhoni has never scored a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite playing over 250 matches .
His highest IPL score is *84* not out* .
IPL Career Stats:
- Matches: 250+
- Runs: 5,082
- Half-centuries: 24
- Highest Score: 84*
- Centuries: 0
Why no IPL hundred? Dhoni almost always batted at No. 5, 6, or 7 for Chennai Super Kings. He often came in with only 4-5 overs remaining, making a century almost impossible. His role was to hit boundaries from ball one — which he did better than almost anyone .
Despite no IPL century, Dhoni is the most successful captain in IPL history and remains the biggest brand in the league.
Summary Table: MS Dhoni Centuries Across Formats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Centuries | Highest Score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 350 | 10,773 | 10 | 183* | 50.57 |
| Test | 90 | 4,876 | 6 | 224 | 38.09 |
| T20I | 98 | 1,617 | 0 | 56 | 37.60 |
| IPL | 250+ | 5,082 | 0 | 84* | ~38 |
| Total (International) | 538 | 17,266 | 16 | 224 | – |
Conclusion: More Than Just Centuries
MS Dhoni’s 16 international centuries tell only part of the story. He was never a player obsessed with personal milestones — he was a captain who put his team first, a finisher who won games from impossible positions, and a wicketkeeper who changed how the role was played.
The verdict?
- As a batter: 16 centuries is a solid return, especially batting at No. 5 and below
- As a finisher: His ODI hundreds, especially the 183* and the chasing hundreds, show his big-match temperament
- As a captain: No number of centuries can measure his impact — 3 ICC trophies, 178 wins as captain, and a legacy that transcends stats
For Indian cricket fans, MS Dhoni will always be a legend — not because of how many centuries he scored, but because of how many matches he won.
FAQs
1. How many centuries did MS Dhoni score in international cricket?
MS Dhoni scored 16 international centuries — 10 in ODIs and 6 in Tests. He did not score any century in T20Is .
2. How many ODI centuries does MS Dhoni have?
Dhoni scored 10 ODI centuries in 350 matches, with a highest score of 183* against Sri Lanka in 2005 .
3. Did MS Dhoni ever score a century in IPL?
No. MS Dhoni never scored a century in the IPL despite playing over 250 matches. His highest IPL score is 84* not out .
4. What is MS Dhoni’s highest score in Test cricket?
Dhoni’s highest Test score is 224 runs against Australia in Chennai in 2013. It was his only double century in international cricket .
5. How many centuries did MS Dhoni score in T20 Internationals?
MS Dhoni scored 0 centuries in T20Is. His highest score in the format was 56 against England. He played 98 T20Is for India.
