MS Dhoni – the name that echoes success in Indian cricket. With 3 ICC trophies, 5 IPL titles, and 2 Champions League wins, he is celebrated as the most successful captain in Indian cricket history.
Fans admire him for his cool temperament, game sense, and legendary finishing ability. But despite all the praise, some voices in the cricket world have accused him of being a credit stealer.
From overshadowing Gautam Gambhir’s World Cup knock to allegations from Yuvraj Singh father, the question has been raised many times.
Why do people call MS Dhoni a credit stealer? And more importantly, does he still deserve to be called India’s greatest captain?
In this blog, we’ll break down both sides of the story — the legacy and the criticism — to understand the truth behind MS Dhoni leadership journey.
Is ms dhoni the greatest captain– A Look at His Rise and Leadership
When we talk about Indian cricket’s golden era, one name that consistently stands out is Mahendra Singh Dhoni — the man who not only lifted trophies but changed the entire mindset of Indian cricket. But why do people call MS Dhoni a credit stealer, while others hail him as the greatest captain ever? To understand this debate, we first need to look at how his journey as a leader began.
After India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2003 World Cup final, captain Sourav Ganguly eventually stepped down, leaving a major leadership vacuum. The team struggled to find a strong captain and a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman. This gap affected India’s performance, and by 2007, India faced a shocking early exit from the ODI World Cup in the group stage. Fans were furious — posters were burnt, players were trolled, and the team needed a complete reset.
Later that year, the first-ever T20 World Cup was announced. Expectations were low, and most senior players opted out. All eyes were now on MS Dhoni, who had debuted in 2004 and was known for his aggressive batting, lightning-fast wicketkeeping, and fearless attitude. The selectors saw potential in the young Ranchi boy and gave him the responsibility of leading a relatively inexperienced squad.
Against all odds, Dhoni’s brilliance as a captain shone through. India once considered underdogs in the tournament defeated Pakistan in a nerve-wracking final to lift the 2007 T20 World Cup. It was a turning point — not just for Dhoni, but for Indian cricket. His calm mindset, bold decisions (like giving the final over to Joginder Sharma), and trust in young players won him massive appreciation.
Players like Gautam Gambhir, who scored 75 in the final, and Irfan Pathan, with his outstanding bowling performance, also played vital roles. But the major credit went to Dhoni, and rightly so — he was the face of this transformation. However, some critics argue that his contributions often overshadowed the efforts of other players, sparking the “credit stealer” debate.
Still, it’s undeniable that this victory marked the beginning of something historic. Dhoni went on to win the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and later built a legacy in IPL. His journey from a small-town boy to MS Dhoni – the greatest captain is a story of vision, belief, and silent execution.
His captaincy wasn’t just about stats; it was about building confidence, taking bold decisions under pressure, and backing his players. That’s why, even amidst all the debates, millions still believe he earned every bit of the credit he received
MS Dhoni IPL & Champions League Legacy: Dominance in T20 Franchise Cricket
MS Dhoni’s brilliance wasn’t limited to international cricket — he completely transformed the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. Leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni became one of the most successful and respected captains in T20 franchise history.
He guided CSK to five IPL titles — in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023 — and built a team culture based on consistency and trust. Even when CSK was written off, Dhoni’s calm captaincy and sharp decision-making brought them back into contention.
His success didn’t stop there. Under his leadership, CSK also won the Champions League T20 twice — in 2010 and 2014 — making them one of the most decorated franchises in the world.
Some of Dhoni’s key IPL achievements include:
- Over 58% win rate as IPL captain
- Leading CSK to the playoffs in almost every season
- Known for backing youngsters and turning underdogs into stars
- Created a loyal fanbase that still chants “Thala” for him across stadiums
His ability to stay calm under pressure, make bold tactical decisions, and extract the best from his players made Dhoni a legend not just in Indian cricket, but also in the IPL arena.
Why Do People Call MS Dhoni a Credit Stealer – The Origin of the Controversy
MS Dhoni is often hailed as India’s greatest captain — the only one to win all three major ICC trophies: the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy. But at the same time, a growing number of fans and former players began asking, “Why Do People Call MS Dhoni a Credit Stealer?”
This question became more prominent after India’s iconic 2011 World Cup final. Dhoni’s unbeaten 91* and match-winning six became legendary moments. But what many felt was unfair was how Gautam Gambhir’s crucial 97-run knock — played under pressure after an early collapse — was almost forgotten. Dhoni received the Man of the Match, and the media celebrated him as the lone hero, sparking the criticism.
This is why people started calling MS Dhoni a credit stealer — not because of his greatness being denied, but because the contributions of other key players were repeatedly overshadowed.
Even players like Sehwag and Gambhir later voiced their thoughts, highlighting that India’s victories were team efforts. Gambhir notably said:
“Our media has turned into a PR agency that only credits Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit.”
Not just fans and media, even some former cricketers and players’ families have shown their disappointment. Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh, once blamed MS Dhoni for not including Yuvraj in the 2015 World Cup squad, accusing him of being insecure about senior players. He even went on to say that “Dhoni ruined Yuvraj career” — a statement that stirred massive controversy. Many believed these were emotional outbursts, but such remarks added more fuel to the “credit stealer” narrative that had started gaining momentum around that time.
After Dhoni became the only captain to win three major ICC titles, people began calling him the GOAT. But this glorification ignored his captaincy failures in 2014 T20 world cup, 2015 ODI World cup, and 2016 T20 world cup, which critics say were brushed aside.
So when we look at Why Do People Call MS Dhoni a Credit Stealer, it stems from an imbalance in credit distribution — where Dhoni was celebrated for wins, and others were forgotten.
Is MS Dhoni Really A Credit Stealer or a Selfless Leader?
Despite being hailed as one of the most successful captains in cricket history, MS Dhoni has often been tagged as a “credit stealer” by some former players and critics. But the real question is — Why Do People Call MS Dhoni a Credit Stealer when his actions tell a completely different story?
Throughout his career, Dhoni has rarely, if ever, taken personal credit for victories or milestones. In fact, during press conferences and interviews, he consistently praised his teammates. After the 2011 World Cup win — where Dhoni famously finished the game with a six — he still highlighted the importance of Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli’s crucial partnership, stating that it gave India the momentum it needed.
There’s a famous moment when a fan told Dhoni, “You’ve won 3 World Cups for India,” and he humbly replied, “It’s team work.” He has always believed, “It’s unfair that you play as a team, and only the captain collects the trophy.”
Even during IPL or Champions League T20 celebrations, Dhoni is often seen handing the trophy to younger players, stepping aside during photo moments — a clear symbol of a selfless leader. In a 2025 IPL match, when he was awarded Man of the Match, Dhoni questioned the decision, saying Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmed were more deserving for their outstanding bowling . This is the kind of humility that defines him.
So when we hear MS Dhoni criticism calling him a credit stealer, we must ask — is it truly justified? Or is it simply the result of media bias and fans’ overwhelming admiration that unintentionally overshadowed the efforts of others.
From every angle, it seems Dhoni has never demanded the spotlight. He just quietly led his team to glory — and maybe, that’s what true leadership looks like.