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MS Dhoni continues to defy age and expectations, delivering yet another magical performance in IPL 2025. On April 14, during the high-octane clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the 43-year-old cricketing legend etched his name in the history books once again.
With a spectacular all-round show — behind the stumps and with the bat — Dhoni became the oldest player ever to win the Player of the Match award in IPL history, surpassing Pravin Tambe’s long-standing record.
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Vintage Dhoni Lights Up Lucknow
MS Dhoni’s night began with brilliance behind the stumps. He pulled off a lightning-fast stumping to dismiss Ayush Badoni and followed it up with a genius run-out of Abdul Samad, leaving fans and experts stunned. The run-out, executed with razor-sharp reflexes, was classic Dhoni — sharp, spontaneous, and impossible to replicate.
Later in the innings, Dhoni came in to bat with CSK chasing and showcased a masterclass in finishing. His blistering 26 off just 11 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, turned the game on its head and ensured CSK secured a thrilling five-wicket victory.
Dhoni’s Humble Response
Despite his heroics, Dhoni was characteristically modest while accepting the Player of the Match award. “Even today I was like — why are they giving me the award? Noor bowled really well,” said Dhoni at the post-match presentation.
Oldest Player of the Match Award Winners in IPL History
| Player | Age | Match Details |
|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | 43 years, 280 days | vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025 |
| Pravin Tambe | 42 years, 208 days | vs KKR, Ahmedabad, 2014 |
| Pravin Tambe | 42 years, 198 days | vs RCB, Abu Dhabi, 2014 |
With this milestone, Dhoni broke Tambe’s record and extended his legacy as one of IPL’s most enduring performers.
Most Player of the Match Awards as Captain (IPL)
| Captain | Awards |
|---|---|
| MS Dhoni (CSK) | 17 |
| Rohit Sharma (MI) | 13 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 13 |
| Virat Kohli (RCB) | 11 |
| KL Rahul (PBKS, LSG) | 9 |
This was Dhoni’s 17th Player of the Match award as a captain, reinforcing his status as the most decorated leader in IPL history.
Most Player of the Match Awards by Indian Players in IPL
| Player | Awards |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 19 |
| Virat Kohli | 18 |
| MS Dhoni | 18* |
| Yusuf Pathan | 16 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 16 |
With this award, Dhoni tied Virat Kohli at 18 awards, only one behind Rohit Sharma (19) among Indian players. This performance marked Dhoni’s first Player of the Match award in 2175 days, with his last coming in 2019 against Delhi Capitals at Chepauk.
