DUBAI: India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the most-capped IPL player even as his Chennai Super Kings team – currently bottom of the table – faltered in yet another run chase.
The 39-year-old has now played 194 Indian Premier League matches, and overtook on Friday his former India and CSK teammate Suresh Raina, who has 193 games.
The former India skipper Dhoni and Raina both announced their retirement from international cricket last month.
But unlike Dhoni, Raina at the last minute pulled out of this IPL edition which because of the coronavirus pandemic is being held in the United Arab Emirates.
Dhoni has now played 164 of his 194 games for the CSK franchise. The others he played for Rising Pune Supergiant.
The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman, famed for his finishing skills during the peak of his international career, has lately faced criticism for batting slowly.
Even Dhoni’s leadership has come under criticism this year, with his otherwise successful franchise uncharacteristically only winning once in the first four games.
The CSK, with Dhoni batting in the middle, lost a run chase to David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven runs in Dubai on Friday.
“We have to get a lot of things right,” Dhoni said about his team after the match.
“It’s the professionalism – dropping catches, bowling no-balls. We’re making the same mistakes again,” he added.
India’s Dhoni now most capped Indian Premier League player
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India’s Dhoni now most capped Indian Premier League player
- The 39-year-old has now played 194 Indian Premier League matches
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
