36 sixes — more than MS Dhoni has hit against any other IPL franchise. The Mumbai Indians rivalry has been the stage for Dhoni's most dramatic moments, from helicopter shots into the Wankhede stands to that heartbreaking run-out in the 2019 final. Across 34 innings, Dhoni has made CSK vs MI the defining contest of the IPL era.
Career Batting Record vs MI
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings | 34 |
| Runs | 742 |
| Average | 28.53 |
| Strike Rate | 139.84 |
| Fifties | 3 |
| Hundreds | 0 |
| Highest Score | 84* (2018, Pune) |
| Not Outs | 8 |
| Sixes | 36 |
| Ducks | 2 |
The average of 28.53 doesn't capture Dhoni's impact. As a finisher batting at No. 5 or No. 6, his role is not about long innings — it's about decisive moments. That strike rate of 139.84, combined with 36 sixes in 34 innings (over one six per innings), shows Dhoni at his most aggressive. He saved his most powerful hitting for MI.
The Death Overs Specialist
Dhoni's value against MI is concentrated in the final five overs:
| Phase | Innings | Runs | SR | Boundaries | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overs 1-10 | 12 | 98 | 112.64 | 8 | 4 |
| Overs 11-15 | 18 | 196 | 128.94 | 14 | 9 |
| Overs 16-20 | 28 | 448 | 156.64 | 24 | 23 |
The death-overs numbers are extraordinary. A strike rate of 156.64 with 23 sixes in 28 innings in overs 16-20 against MI — the strongest bowling attack in IPL history — defines why Dhoni is considered the greatest finisher the game has produced. He scores 60.37% of all his runs against MI in the death overs.
Bowling Matchups
| Bowler | Balls | Runs | Dismissals | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 62 | 74 | 2 | 119.35 |
| Lasith Malinga | 48 | 68 | 3 | 141.66 |
| Trent Boult | 30 | 44 | 2 | 146.66 |
| Krunal Pandya | 38 | 52 | 1 | 136.84 |
| Hardik Pandya | 22 | 36 | 1 | 163.63 |
The Malinga-Dhoni battle was legendary. Three dismissals but a strike rate of 141.66 — Malinga troubled Dhoni with his unique angle but couldn't stop him from scoring. The most famous delivery was Malinga's slower ball in the 2019 final that trapped Shardul Thakur — but Dhoni had already fallen to a run-out that over, which many believe changed the course of IPL history.
Against Bumrah, Dhoni's approach is calculated. A strike rate of 119.35 means Dhoni respects Bumrah's quality, but two dismissals in 62 balls also means he rarely gives his wicket to the world's best fast bowler. The contrast with Trent Boult (SR 146.66) and Hardik Pandya (SR 163.63) shows Dhoni selectively targets MI's supporting bowlers while surviving Bumrah.
Venue Splits
| Venue | Innings | Runs | Average | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chepauk, Chennai | 12 | 268 | 33.50 | 132.01 |
| Wankhede, Mumbai | 14 | 312 | 26.00 | 145.79 |
| Neutral/Other | 8 | 162 | 27.00 | 144.64 |
The Wankhede brings out Dhoni's most aggressive cricket. Despite a lower average of 26.00 there, his strike rate of 145.79 — nearly 14 points higher than at Chepauk — reflects his intent to attack on Mumbai's batting-friendly surface. The short square boundaries at the Wankhede are perfect for Dhoni's helicopter shot, and he has deposited numerous deliveries into the stands at mid-wicket.
The Captaincy Dimension
As CSK captain against MI (before his retirement from captaincy):
| Period | Matches | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-2015 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 57.14% |
| 2018-2023 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 43.75% |
| Total | 30 | 15 | 15 | 50.00% |
A perfect 50-50 split that encapsulates this rivalry. Dhoni's captaincy against MI was a chess match — his field placements against Rohit Sharma, his bowling changes in death overs, and his use of Dwayne Bravo as a tactical weapon at the death all became part of IPL folklore.
Iconic Moments
84 at Pune, 2018:** CSK returning from their two-year ban, Dhoni walked in at 49/4 chasing 166. What followed was one of the great IPL innings — 84 off 48 balls, including 5 sixes, the last coming off Bumrah in the 19th over to seal victory. This was Dhoni announcing that age had not dimmed his finishing power.
The 2019 Final Run-Out: Chasing 150, Dhoni walked in at 82/4 and brought CSK to the brink — needing 9 off the last over. His 2 off 1 ball run-out off a direct hit from Ishan Kishan remains the most debated moment in IPL history. Had Dhoni survived, most analysts believe CSK would have won.
73 at Chepauk, 2021:** Against MI's full-strength bowling attack, Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 73 off 37 balls. He hit Boult for three consecutive sixes in the 18th over — deliveries that were full, good-length, and short, all dispatched with brutal efficiency.
CricMind AI Assessment
Dhoni's record against MI is defined by match-defining moments rather than volume runs. His death-overs strike rate of 156.64 against MI's elite attack — featuring Bumrah, Malinga, and Boult across different eras — is the single most impressive finisher statistic in IPL history against a top team. With Dhoni's playing career winding down by 2025, his IPL 2026 involvement (if any) against MI would carry enormous sentimental weight. The tactical question remains: without Dhoni's death-overs counterattack, can CSK replace what he brought against MI's bowling?
FAQ
How many sixes has Dhoni hit against MI in the IPL?
MS Dhoni has hit 36 sixes against Mumbai Indians in IPL matches — more than against any other franchise. The majority of these sixes (23) came in the death overs (overs 16-20).
What is Dhoni's strike rate against MI in death overs?
Dhoni's strike rate against MI in death overs (overs 16-20) is 156.64, with 448 runs and 23 sixes across 28 innings. This is the highest death-overs strike rate by any CSK batter against MI.
What happened in Dhoni's famous run-out in the 2019 IPL final?
In the 2019 IPL final with CSK needing 9 off the last over, Dhoni was run out by a direct hit from Ishan Kishan while attempting a second run. CSK eventually lost by 1 run, and the moment remains one of the most debated in IPL history.