MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli Stats Comparison: T20, ODI, Test, & IPL

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli are the two Indian players who have fans all over the world, and these two players have never been deprived of the love of their fans. There has always been a debate regarding MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli, who is given the title of the best batsman in the world, is famous for his excellent batting and stylish presence on the field. Virat has broken many records with the bat so far. He has been scoring runs regularly in every format of cricket. However, he has not only been praised as a batsman, but also for leading the team while being the captain of the Indian team.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on the other hand, is famous for managing his team with a cool and calm head on the field. 'Captain Cool' Dhoni is given the title of the best wicketkeeper in the world of all time, who is a mastermind behind the stumps. Mahi's success as a captain is also eye-catching because under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. So now the question arises, who is better, Virat or Dhoni? To get the answer, we have to analyse their cricketing career deeply and end the long-time debate of MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli.

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli Key Profile Details

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli both have been gem cricketers not only for Indian cricket but in the world of cricket. Indian legend MS Dhoni started his international career in 2004, while Virat started his international career in 2008. Dhoni, being a finisher, has exceptional abilities to hit the ball out of the park, while Virat has good control over his batting, where he takes his batting deep and scores plenty of runs consistently. Here is the detailed table of key details between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli.

Journey from Local Talent to National Icon

The journey of a cricketer, especially in India, is not a piece of cake to become a recognised cricketer and at a proper level, where it takes years of determination and hard work from an individual. The success of Indian cricketers comes at a high stake of struggle and working passionately on one's game to improve overall. The same journey was done by the famous Indian cricketers, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, where they worked so hard in their early years, making them one of the successful cricketers in the world and raising the question of who is most famous Virat or Dhoni in world.

Virat Kohli's Journey

Virat Kohli's journey in the world of cricket is one of the inspiring ones, where he is an epitome of hard work and resilience. He began playing cricket just like any other normal kid, with his father and in his locality, which built his interest in cricket. Then, he began his cricket training at a very young age under Rajkumar Sharma at one of the best cricket academy in India, West Delhi Cricket Academy, which eventually made him a cricketer. He was selected in the Delhi Under-15 and Under-17 teams for his skills and abilities, where he moved to become the captain of the Indian cricket team in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2008, which was won under his captaincy. This was just the beginning of his cricketing career. After this, he got an IPL contract and then made his international debut for India in the same year. The rest was history, where Indian star Virat Kohli ruled the world of cricket with his bat and his exceptional overall cricketing skills to not only become a National Icon but a Global Icon.

MS Dhoni's Journey

MS Dhoni's journey in the cricketing world was not an easy one when compared to other cricketers, as he struggled a lot in his early years, which resulted in him becoming one of the successful cricketers in the world. MS was quite active in the world of sports during his early years, where he used to be one of the best goalkeepers in football before playing cricket. His talent in cricket was recognised by one of his school's coaches, which made him start playing cricket. He began playing competitive cricket at local tournaments, where he used to perform well and made it into the Bihar domestic team. He got a lot of chances to play in various tournaments, where his performance was inconsistent, and started working as a Ticket collector for some time, and simultaneously playing cricket Railways. The breakthrough in his cricket journey was when he was selected for the India A team and performed well, and after that, there was no turning back, and he got a chance to play in the international setup, where he excelled well to become a National Icon. There is also a movie based on his biography, named “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story”, which shows his overall journey in cricket.

Batting Records: A Head-to-Head Comparison

If we talk about the comparison between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli, a question always comes up about Virat or Dhoni who is best batsman. As both of them have performed exceptionally well in their respective cricketing careers and have scored a lot of runs in their time. To answer the question of Virat or Dhoni who is best batsman, we have done a head-to-head comparison of their batting stats across the three formats of the game as well as the IPL.

Analyzing ODI Batting Successes

The ODI format in cricket demands a level of game with the mix of the other two formats, where batsmen should play long but also have to score runs in a quick manner. It helps in understanding the level of the game where the player has control over their game while scoring runs consistently. The battle between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli is neck to neck in ODI cricket, where both of them have shown the potential of their game in this format. In the ODI career of MS Dhoni, he has played 350 matches where he scored 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, scoring a total of 10 centuries. He has played ODI cricket by batting lower in the order, and his stats indicate his consistency in scoring runs in the lower order and fulfilling the role of finisher. In the ODI career of Virat Kohli, he has played 302 matches, as of June 2025, where he scored 14,11 runs at an average of 57.88, scoring a total of 51 centuries, which is the most centuries in ODI history, and his batting in ODI shows the consistency in scoring runs and chasing the scores well.

Test Cricket Achievements and Impact

Test cricket is the longest format of the game, which tests the player at their best with the playing conditions and rules of this format. Test cricket involves patience and strong character to play and perform well, regardless you are a batter or bowler. The test career of both Dhoni and Virat has been exceptional as per their records. In the test career of MS Dhoni, he has played 90 matches where he scored 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, scoring a total of 6 centuries. These batting stats show the determination of the player towards the longest format of the game while keeping the wickets throughout the match. In the test career of Virat Kohli, he has played 123 matches where he scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, scoring a total of 30 centuries. His stats show his versatility in the game, where he could score runs at any stage of the game or format.

T20 International Performance

T20I is the shortest and fastest format of the game, where it requires a player to score a good amount of runs in the middle and perform well for the team. This format involves the ability to score runs at a good pace and smash the ball out of the park. In the T20I career of MS Dhoni, he has played 98 matches where he scored 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60, scoring at a strike rate of 126.13. In the T20I career of Virat Kohli, he has played 125 matches where he scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, scoring at a strike rate of 137.04. He has been one of the top run scorers in the T20I format of all time for a very long time before he took retirement from this format.

IPL Performances

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a T20 league where players from across the world come together to play against each with mixed teams, which makes the game of cricket more thrilling and intense. IPL also tests the batsmen, as it makes the batsmen play against the best players in the world. In IPL, MS Dhoni plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and even played for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) for a couple of years. In his IPL career, he has played 278 matches where he scored 5,439 runs with an average of 38.30 and at a strike rate of 137.45. On the other hand, Virat Kohli has been playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the beginning of the IPL. In his IPL career, he has played 267 matches where he scored 8,661 runs with an average of 39.54 and at a strike rate of 132.85. He is currently the top run scorer in this league and has won the orange cap twice in his IPL career.

Captaincy Stats of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

A player shows his leadership qualities when he is handed over the role of captaincy to lead the team. The skill of captaincy is not present in every player, as this helps in understanding the tactical and strategic mind of the player, and how the player will lead the team to overall success. The captaincy stats of both of these players will clear the battle between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli, even better.

In Test Cricket

In Test cricket, MS Dhoni has been a transitional leader and a subcontinent dominator, where he led the team for 60 matches where he won 27 out of them, and 18 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in Test cricket as a captain is 45%. While Virat Kohli is the best test captain of India where he led the team for 68 matches where he won 40 out of them, and 17 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in Test cricket as a captain is 58.82%, he showed utter dominance in overseas matches and won many of them.

In ODI

In ODI format, MS Dhoni is India’s most successful ODI captain and always remains cool under pressure. He led the team for 200 matches, where he won 110 out of them, and 74 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in ODI cricket as a captain is 55%. While Virat Kohli was an aggressive leader and had a dominant win %, but no ICC silverware. He led the team for 95 matches, where he won 65 out of them, and 27 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in ODI cricket as a captain is 70.43%.

In T20I

MS Dhoni is considered to be an iconic T20 leader who won the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 title. He led the team for 72 matches, where he won 41 out of them, and 28 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in T20I cricket as a captain is 56.94%. Virat Kohli remained a high-performing batsman but lacked ICC silverware. He led the team for 50 matches, where he won 30 out of them, and 16 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in T20I cricket as a captain is 64.58%.

In IPL

MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in IPL, who is known for calm leadership. He led the team for 235 matches, where he won 136 out of them, and 97 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in the IPL as a captain is 57.87%. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been the longest-serving RCB captain and a consistent performer, but has not won a trophy under his leadership. He led the team for 143 matches, where he won 66 out of them, and 70 matches ended in a losing cause, where his win percentage in the IPL as a captain is 46.15%.

Leadership Styles and Captaincy Records

MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli goes to their leadership styles and captaincy records as well. Both Dhoni and Virat have different kinds of leadership styles in leading the team, where both of them have been successful in their respective captaincy tenures. MS Dhoni leads the team with full calm and exposure, where he uses all his expertise in captaincy. Virat Kohli brings a different kind of energy to the field with his style of captaincy and keeps everyone charged throughout the course of the game. Virat Kohli has a win percentage of 63.38% in his 213 matches of captaincy across three formats, whereas MS Dhoni has a win percentage of 53.61% in his 332 matches of captaincy across three formats.

Dhoni's Captaincy: Trophies and Leadership Traits

Dhoni's captaincy is very well known in the world of cricket, where he has captained the Indian side for the most number of matches and has been the most successful captain for India. He made India win many ICC titles, which created recognition in the world of cricket. This includes the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy. He is known to use his mastermind behind the wickets and can change the game from there only. He uses all his strategic mind as soon as he steps on the field and tries to win the match in every possible way. He can bring the best out of any bowler who can contribute positively to the team's success, where, during his tenure, he used young talent very efficiently.

Kohli's Approach to Leading Team India

Virat Kohli has a completely different kind of approach in the captaincy, where he always brings a positive energy into the field with only one motive: to win the game. He may not be considered to be one of the best captains as he failed to win any ICC trophy, but if we consider win percentage and types of matches he won during his captaincy, he is also the best in business. He changed the landscape of test cricket in India and made India one of the successful teams in the test format, where they dominate other teams. He is known to back his players well and gets results out of them with proper trust being shown. He is a fierce leader of the team who always looks to dominate others and win the match.

Comparing ICC Tournament Successes

While comparing MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli, the ICC tournament success comes into consideration, where Virat Kohli has a win percentage of 63.38% and still there are no titles under him, but he took India to the No. 1 ranking in Tests. MS Dhoni has a win percentage of 53.61% and has a good success rate in the ICC tournaments, where he won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy during his captaincy tenure.

Off the Field: Influence and Popularity

The influence and popularity between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli off the field is on the next level. These two cricket giants have a loyal fan base, which is evident during the time of the IPL, where fans of both players become rivals. Both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have a great brand value in the market, where they are seen promoting several brands and have a positive influence on the people.

Brand Endorsements and Marketability

Both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have been seen in several brand endorsements in promoting the brand and earning well out of it. They have good marketability, where brands approach them to promote because of their fan following. MS Dhoni brand ambassador list includes brands like Lay's, Jio Cinema, Boost, SBI, Gulf Oil, Dream 11, Reebok, Oppo, and many more. Virat Kohli, who is a brand in himself, has also been promoting various brands like Puma, Star Sports, Myntra, MPL, Audi, and many more, where his brands are also included, like One8, Rage Coffee, Blue Tribe, etc. All these brands come under the Virat Kohli Brand ambassador list.

Social Media Presence and Fan Following

The social media presence and fan following of the player show the fan base of the player and tell who is most famous Virat or Dhoni in world. Virat Kohli is the followed cricketer in the world, where he has over 273 million followers on Instagram, over 67.9 million on X, and over 51 million on Facebook. While MS Dhoni prefers to stay away from social media and the digital world, yet he has a good fan following, which includes over 50 million followers on Instagram, over 8.5 million on X, and 27 million on Facebook.

Contributions to Cricket Beyond Playing

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are the official and unofficial brand ambassadors of cricket, where both of them have contributed to the wellness of the game a lot, even beyond playing. MS Dhoni has always played the role of a leader and mentor. He was mentoring the Indian team during the ICC World Cup 2021, and he has also mentored and groomed many young players who eventually contributed to the game of cricket. Virat Kohli has become a global icon of cricket, where people around the globe relate cricket to Virat. He has also spoken about mental health in sports, and taking care of it is as important as physical health. He has also started the Virat Kohli Foundation, where he supports young athletes to change the landscape of every sport in India.

Legacy and Impact on Indian Cricket

Both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have changed the landscape of Indian cricket and have influenced many youngsters to take up the sport and have a positive impact on others all the time. The battle between MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli goes on, but the legacy left behind by them can't stay unnoticed. They have played cricket in such a way that they are considered to be modern-day legends of the game.

Dhoni's Role in Shaping Future Wicket-Keepers

MS Dhoni plays an important role in shaping the future of wicket-keepers, where he is known for his wicket-keeping skills and especially for how quickly he stumps the batsmen. There are many players in the upcoming Indian team who have taken inspiration from MS Dhoni, like explosive batter Rishab Pant, who always takes guidance from him to be good in wicket-keeping and do well for the Indian cricket team.

Kohli's Influence on Young Batsmen

Virat Kohli has influenced the cricketing fraternity with his batting skills and has created a positive influence over the next generation of batsmen like Indian test captain Shubman Gill and many other players in the IPL. He has influenced many young players to take batting, and especially with the fearless approach towards it.

Conclusion

To conclude this battle of MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli, we can say that after all the comparisons, both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are the best in their respective terms, which makes them unique players. Virat Kohli is the answer to the questions of who is most famous Virat or Dhoni in world and Virat or Dhoni who is best batsman. But on the other hand, MS Dhoni is one of the experienced players and is best in the role of captaincy and the department of wicket-keeping. Both of them have contributed well enough to the game of cricket to be considered among the best cricketers.