Updated October 2026 | All stats are as of the end of IPL 2026 (final played 31 May 2026).
Rohit Sharma vs MS Dhoni IPL stats, quick answer: Rohit Sharma has scored almost 2,000 more IPL runs than MS Dhoni and hit more sixes, but Dhoni has the higher average and strike rate. As captains they are level with five titles each. Rohit edges it as a batter by volume; Dhoni edges it on efficiency and finishing.
- Matches: Rohit Sharma 281, MS Dhoni 278
- Runs: Rohit Sharma 7329 (SR 132.92), MS Dhoni 5439 (SR 137.45)
- IPL titles: Rohit Sharma 6, MS Dhoni 5
Why This Comparison Is Worth Making
Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni are the two most successful captains in IPL history, with five titles each, and they led Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings in the league’s fiercest rivalry for a decade. They also batted in very different positions: Rohit as an opener or top-order batter, Dhoni as a finisher in the final overs.
Rohit Sharma vs MS Dhoni IPL Stats: Career Numbers Side by Side
| Metric | Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 281 | 278 |
| Seasons | 19 | 18 |
| Runs | 7329 | 5439 |
| Average | 29.91 | 38.30 |
| Strike rate | 132.92 | 137.45 |
| Highest score | 109* | 84* |
| 100s / 50s | 2 / 49 | 0 / 24 |
| Fours | 661 | 375 |
| Sixes | 324 | 264 |
| Player of the match | 21 | 18 |
| Titles | 6 | 5 |
Per match, Rohit Sharma has contributed 26.1 runs and MS Dhoni 19.6 runs. Rohit Sharma has won player of the match once every 13.4 games, MS Dhoni once every 15.4.
Season-by-Season Parallel
| Season | Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 404 runs, SR 147.99 (13 m) | 414 runs, SR 133.55 (16 m) |
| 2009 | 362 runs, SR 114.92 (16 m) | 332 runs, SR 127.20 (14 m) |
| 2010 | 404 runs, SR 133.77 (16 m) | 287 runs, SR 136.67 (13 m) |
| 2011 | 372 runs, SR 125.25 (16 m) | 392 runs, SR 158.70 (16 m) |
| 2012 | 433 runs, SR 126.61 (17 m) | 358 runs, SR 128.78 (19 m) |
| 2013 | 538 runs, SR 131.54 (19 m) | 461 runs, SR 162.90 (18 m) |
| 2014 | 390 runs, SR 129.14 (15 m) | 371 runs, SR 148.40 (16 m) |
| 2015 | 482 runs, SR 144.74 (16 m) | 372 runs, SR 121.97 (17 m) |
| 2016 | 489 runs, SR 132.88 (14 m) | 284 runs, SR 135.24 (14 m) |
| 2017 | 333 runs, SR 121.98 (17 m) | 290 runs, SR 116.00 (16 m) |
| 2018 | 286 runs, SR 133.02 (14 m) | 455 runs, SR 150.66 (16 m) |
| 2019 | 405 runs, SR 128.57 (15 m) | 416 runs, SR 134.63 (15 m) |
| 2020 | 332 runs, SR 127.69 (12 m) | 200 runs, SR 116.28 (14 m) |
| 2021 | 381 runs, SR 127.42 (13 m) | 114 runs, SR 106.54 (16 m) |
| 2022 | 268 runs, SR 120.18 (14 m) | 232 runs, SR 123.40 (14 m) |
| 2023 | 332 runs, SR 132.80 (16 m) | 104 runs, SR 182.46 (16 m) |
| 2024 | 417 runs, SR 150.00 (14 m) | 161 runs, SR 220.55 (14 m) |
| 2025 | 418 runs, SR 149.29 (15 m) | 196 runs, SR 135.17 (14 m) |
| 2026 | 283 runs, SR 157.22 (9 m) | – |
- 2008: Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers) made 404 runs at a strike rate of 147.99; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 414 runs at a strike rate of 133.55.
- 2009: Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers) made 362 runs at a strike rate of 114.92; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 332 runs at a strike rate of 127.20.
- 2010: Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers) made 404 runs at a strike rate of 133.77; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 287 runs at a strike rate of 136.67.
- 2011: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 372 runs at a strike rate of 125.25; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 392 runs at a strike rate of 158.70.
- 2012: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 433 runs at a strike rate of 126.61; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 358 runs at a strike rate of 128.78.
- 2013: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 538 runs at a strike rate of 131.54; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 461 runs at a strike rate of 162.90.
- 2014: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 390 runs at a strike rate of 129.14; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 371 runs at a strike rate of 148.40.
- 2015: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 482 runs at a strike rate of 144.74; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 372 runs at a strike rate of 121.97.
- 2016: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 489 runs at a strike rate of 132.88; MS Dhoni (Rising Pune Supergiant) made 284 runs at a strike rate of 135.24.
- 2017: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 333 runs at a strike rate of 121.98; MS Dhoni (Rising Pune Supergiant) made 290 runs at a strike rate of 116.00.
- 2018: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 286 runs at a strike rate of 133.02; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 455 runs at a strike rate of 150.66.
- 2019: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 405 runs at a strike rate of 128.57; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 416 runs at a strike rate of 134.63.
- 2020: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 332 runs at a strike rate of 127.69; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 200 runs at a strike rate of 116.28.
- 2021: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 381 runs at a strike rate of 127.42; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 114 runs at a strike rate of 106.54.
- 2022: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 268 runs at a strike rate of 120.18; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 232 runs at a strike rate of 123.40.
- 2023: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 332 runs at a strike rate of 132.80; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 104 runs at a strike rate of 182.46.
- 2024: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 417 runs at a strike rate of 150.00; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55.
- 2025: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 418 runs at a strike rate of 149.29; MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) made 196 runs at a strike rate of 135.17.
- 2026: Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) made 283 runs at a strike rate of 157.22; MS Dhoni did not play.
They played in the same IPL season 18 times. In those seasons Rohit Sharma finished with more runs 14 times and MS Dhoni 4 times (ties counted for neither when equal).
By phase of the innings
| Phase | Rohit Sharma runs (SR) | MS Dhoni runs (SR) |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay (1-6) | 2564 (126.4) | 59 (81.9) |
| Middle (7-15) | 3238 (122.5) | 1912 (100.5) |
| Death (16-20) | 1527 (181.1) | 3468 (175.0) |
In the powerplay Rohit Sharma scores at 126.4 and MS Dhoni at 81.9; at the death the figures are 181.1 and 175.0. That difference largely reflects where each has batted in the order.
Against each opponent
| Opponent | Rohit Sharma runs (SR) | MS Dhoni runs (SR) |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 972 (131.00) | – |
| Mumbai Indians | 103 (111.96) | 772 (130.63) |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 889 (138.47) | 906 (143.13) |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 1176 (130.96) | 574 (128.41) |
| Delhi Capitals | 1092 (132.69) | 739 (139.70) |
| Punjab Kings | 905 (137.54) | 707 (152.04) |
| Rajasthan Royals | 605 (124.49) | 585 (128.57) |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 535 (136.13) | 500 (142.86) |
| Gujarat Titans | 221 (145.39) | 48 (154.84) |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 261 (158.18) | 86 (286.67) |
Home, away and neutral
| Venue type | Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni |
|---|---|---|
| Home | 2791 runs, SR 141.17 | 1819 runs, SR 141.56 |
| Away | 3111 runs, SR 131.60 | 2652 runs, SR 140.69 |
| Neutral | 1427 runs, SR 121.65 | 968 runs, SR 123.00 |
Peak Seasons Compared
Rohit Sharma’s best season was 2013 for Mumbai Indians: 538 runs in 19 matches at an average of 38.43 and a strike rate of 131.54, with 0 hundreds and 4 fifties.
MS Dhoni’s best season was 2013 for Chennai Super Kings: 461 runs in 18 matches at an average of 41.91 and a strike rate of 162.90, with 0 hundreds and 4 fifties.
| Player | Three best seasons |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 2013 (538), 2016 (489), 2015 (482) |
| MS Dhoni | 2013 (461), 2018 (455), 2019 (416) |
Rohit Sharma: five best innings
- 109* off 60 balls for MI against KKR, 12 May 2012. 12 May 2012, Eden Gardens: MI batted first and made 182/1, led by Rohit Sharma 109* (60). KKR replied with 155/4, Jacques Kallis 79 (60) top-scoring. MI won by 27 runs. Player of the match: Rohit Sharma.
- 105* off 63 balls for MI against CSK, 14 Apr 2024. 14 Apr 2024, Wankhede Stadium: CSK batted first and made 206/4, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad 69 (40), with Hardik Pandya 2/43 the pick of the MI bowlers. MI replied with 186/6, Rohit Sharma 105* (63) top-scoring as Matheesha Pathirana 4/28 did the damage for CSK. CSK won by 20 runs. Player of the match: Matheesha Pathirana.
- 98* off 65 balls for MI against KKR, 8 Apr 2015. 8 Apr 2015, Eden Gardens: MI batted first and made 168/3, led by Rohit Sharma 98* (65), with Morne Morkel 2/18 the pick of the KKR bowlers. KKR replied with 170/3, Gautam Gambhir 57 (43) top-scoring. KKR won by 7 wickets. Player of the match: Morne Morkel.
- 94 off 52 balls for MI against RCB, 17 Apr 2018. 17 Apr 2018, Wankhede Stadium: MI batted first and made 213/6, led by Rohit Sharma 94 (52), with Umesh Yadav 2/36 the pick of the RCB bowlers. RCB replied with 167/8, Virat Kohli 92* (62) top-scoring as Krunal Pandya 3/28 did the damage for MI. MI won by 46 runs. Player of the match: Rohit Sharma.
- 87 off 48 balls for MI against CSK, 22 Apr 2011. 22 Apr 2011, Wankhede Stadium: MI batted first and made 164/4, led by Rohit Sharma 87 (48), with Doug Bollinger 2/30 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 156/9, Subramaniam Badrinath 71* (48) top-scoring as Harbhajan Singh 5/18 did the damage for MI. MI won by 8 runs. Player of the match: Harbhajan Singh.
MS Dhoni: five best innings
- 84* off 48 balls for CSK against RCB, 21 Apr 2019. 21 Apr 2019, M Chinnaswamy Stadium: RCB batted first and made 161/7, led by Parthiv Patel 53 (37), with Deepak Chahar 2/25 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 160/8, MS Dhoni 84* (48) top-scoring as Dale Steyn 2/29 did the damage for RCB. RCB won by 1 run. Player of the match: Parthiv Patel.
- 79* off 44 balls for CSK against PBKS, 15 Apr 2018. 15 Apr 2018, PCA Stadium, Mohali: PBKS batted first and made 197/7, led by Chris Gayle 63 (33), with Shardul Thakur 2/33 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 193/5, MS Dhoni 79* (44) top-scoring as Andrew Tye 2/47 did the damage for PBKS. PBKS won by 4 runs. Player of the match: Chris Gayle.
- 75* off 46 balls for CSK against RR, 31 Mar 2019. 31 Mar 2019, MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk): CSK batted first and made 175/5, led by MS Dhoni 75* (46), with Jofra Archer 2/17 the pick of the RR bowlers. RR replied with 167/8, Ben Stokes 46 (26) top-scoring as Deepak Chahar 2/19 did the damage for CSK. CSK won by 8 runs. Player of the match: MS Dhoni.
- 70* off 34 balls for CSK against RCB, 25 Apr 2018. 25 Apr 2018, M Chinnaswamy Stadium: RCB batted first and made 205/8, led by AB de Villiers 68 (30), with Dwayne Bravo 2/33 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 207/5, Ambati Rayudu 82 (53) top-scoring as Yuzvendra Chahal 2/26 did the damage for RCB. CSK won by 5 wickets. Player of the match: MS Dhoni.
- 70* off 40 balls for CSK against RCB, 22 May 2011. 22 May 2011, M Chinnaswamy Stadium: CSK batted first and made 128/8, led by MS Dhoni 70* (40), with Daniel Vettori 2/15 the pick of the RCB bowlers. RCB replied with 129/2, Chris Gayle 75* (50) top-scoring. RCB won by 8 wickets. Player of the match: Chris Gayle.
Performance in Playoffs and Finals
| Knockout record | Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni |
|---|---|---|
| Playoff matches | 24 | 28 |
| Won | 15 | 18 |
| Runs | 405 | 523 |
| Strike rate | 115.38 | 132.07 |
| Wickets | 0 | 0 |
| Finals played | 6 | 11 |
| Finals won | 6 | 5 |
Rohit Sharma has played 24 playoff matches and MS Dhoni 28. In finals, Rohit Sharma has 183 runs and MS Dhoni 180.
Their biggest knockout performances
- Rohit Sharma, 2025 Eliminator: 81 (50). 30 May 2025, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium (Eliminator): MI batted first and made 228/5, led by Rohit Sharma 81 (50), with Sai Kishore 2/42 the pick of the GT bowlers. GT replied with 208/6, Sai Sudharsan 80 (49) top-scoring as Trent Boult 2/56 did the damage for MI. MI won by 20 runs. Player of the match: Rohit Sharma.
- Rohit Sharma, 2020 Final: 68 (51). 10 Nov 2020, Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Final): DC batted first and made 156/7, led by Shreyas Iyer 65* (50), with Trent Boult 3/30 the pick of the MI bowlers. MI replied with 157/5, Rohit Sharma 68 (51) top-scoring as Anrich Nortje 2/25 did the damage for DC. MI won by 5 wickets. Player of the match: Trent Boult.
- Rohit Sharma, 2015 Final: 50 (26). 24 May 2015, Eden Gardens (Final): MI batted first and made 202/5, led by Lendl Simmons 68 (45), with Dwayne Bravo 2/36 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 161/8, Dwayne Smith 57 (48) top-scoring as Mitchell McClenaghan 3/25 did the damage for MI. MI won by 41 runs. Player of the match: Rohit Sharma.
- MS Dhoni, 2013 Final: 63* (45). 26 May 2013, Eden Gardens (Final): MI batted first and made 148/9, led by Kieron Pollard 60* (32), with Dwayne Bravo 4/42 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 125/9, MS Dhoni 63* (45) top-scoring as Harbhajan Singh 2/14 did the damage for MI. MI won by 23 runs. Player of the match: Kieron Pollard.
- MS Dhoni, 2012 Elimination Final: 51* (20). 23 May 2012, M Chinnaswamy Stadium (Elimination Final): CSK batted first and made 187/5, led by MS Dhoni 51* (20), with Dhawal Kulkarni 3/46 the pick of the MI bowlers. MI replied with 149/9, Dwayne Smith 38 (22) top-scoring as Dwayne Bravo 2/10 did the damage for CSK. CSK won by 38 runs. Player of the match: MS Dhoni.
- MS Dhoni, 2014 Qualifier 2: 42* (31). 30 May 2014, Wankhede Stadium (Qualifier 2): PBKS batted first and made 226/6, led by Virender Sehwag 122 (58), with Ashish Nehra 2/51 the pick of the CSK bowlers. CSK replied with 202/7, Suresh Raina 87 (25) top-scoring as Parvinder Awana 2/59 did the damage for PBKS. PBKS won by 24 runs. Player of the match: Virender Sehwag.
When They Have Faced Each Other Directly
Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have been on opposite sides in 41 IPL matches and in the same XI in 0. When opponents, Rohit Sharma’s team won 22 and MS Dhoni’s team won 19.
| In head-to-head matches | Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 1083 | 750 |
| Strike rate | 130.64 | 124.58 |
| Wickets | 2 | 0 |
Awards, Titles and Milestones
| Rohit Sharma | MS Dhoni | |
|---|---|---|
| IPL titles | 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Caps | None | None |
| Player of the match | 21 | 18 |
Rohit took over the Mumbai Indians captaincy during the 2013 season and led them until 2023, winning five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). Hardik Pandya replaced him as captain from 2024. Dhoni captained Chennai Super Kings from the first season and led them to all five of their titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023). He also captained Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 while Chennai were suspended.
Where Each One Is Genuinely Better
- Rohit is better at: run volume, six-hitting at the top of the order, and scoring hundreds. He also has a part-time bowling record, including an IPL hat-trick for Deccan Chargers.
- Dhoni is better at: average and strike rate, finishing chases, and big-game batting: his playoff runs and strike rate are clearly higher.
- As captains: both have five titles. Rohit’s five came in eight seasons from 2013 to 2020; Dhoni’s were spread across 2010 to 2023.
The Honest Verdict
This is as close as IPL comparisons get. Rohit’s run tally reflects more balls faced at the top of the order, while Dhoni has been the more efficient batter in a harder role. In knockout matches, Dhoni’s record is better, and that tips the verdict narrowly his way for us, but you could easily argue the other side.
Related: most sixes in IPL history, most wickets in IPL history, Orange Cap winners, Purple Cap winners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is better in the IPL, Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni?
Rohit Sharma has scored almost 2,000 more IPL runs than MS Dhoni and hit more sixes, but Dhoni has the higher average and strike rate. As captains they are level with five titles each. Rohit edges it as a batter by volume; Dhoni edges it on efficiency and finishing.
Who has scored more IPL runs, Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni?
Rohit Sharma, with 7329 runs to 5439.
Have Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni played in the same team?
No, they have never been IPL team-mates.