MS Dhoni vs Joe Root
Full head-to-head breakdown across Test, ODI, T20I & IPL — batting, bowling and career records
MS Dhoni vs Joe Root: A Dead-Even Cricket Rivalry Decided by the Finest of Margins
MS Dhoni and Joe Root split the categories 9–9 — a genuinely even rivalry where format preference determines the winner. Both players sit in elite territory across the key benchmarks, making this one of cricket's most debatable head-to-heads.
In ODI cricket, Joe Root leads with an average of 51.15 versus MS Dhoni's 50.58 — a slim margin of 0.57 runs per dismissal. MS Dhoni has also accumulated more ODI runs overall (10,773 vs 7,826). Joe Root's 20 ODI centuries to MS Dhoni's 10 shows a greater ability to cash in on big starts.
In T20 Internationals, the two players are near-identical — MS Dhoni averages 37.6 at SR 126.14, while Joe Root averages 35.72 at SR 126.31. The format delivers no clean verdict. In the IPL, MS Dhoni leads with 5,439 runs versus 10 — a gap that reflects both opportunity and impact in franchise cricket.
Both players contribute with the ball. Joe Root leads on international wickets (110 vs 1 across formats), and their all-round contributions add meaningful value beyond batting averages alone.
| MS Dhoni | Stat | Joe Root |
|---|---|---|
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| Inn | ||
| Runs | ||
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| Avg | ||
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| 6s | ||
| Ducks | ||
| NO |
Overall Profile — TEST
Key Stats — TEST
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The Verdict
The numbers refuse to separate MS Dhoni and Joe Root — both players win exactly the same number of statistical categories (9–9) in this head-to-head. Joe Root holds the Test edge (avg 38.09 vs 50.64), while MS Dhoni levels the ledger in other formats. Pick your format, pick your winner — this one depends entirely on what you value most in a cricketer.
Frequently Asked — MS Dhoni vs Joe Root
This comparison is level at 9–9. Both players lead in different batting categories, resulting in an even statistical comparison.
Joe Root holds the edge in ODI batting average, averaging 51.15 with 7826 runs, compared to MS Dhoni's average of 50.58 and 10773 runs. Joe Root has also scored more ODI centuries (20 vs 10).
In Test cricket, Joe Root averages 50.64 versus MS Dhoni's 38.09 — a significant gap of 12.55 runs per dismissal. Joe Root has accumulated 14,180 Test runs including 41 centuries.
In T20Is, MS Dhoni averages 37.6 at a strike rate of 126.14, while Joe Root averages 35.72 at a strike rate of 126.31. Joe Root has the higher strike rate (126.31 vs 126.14).
MS Dhoni leads in IPL run-scoring with 5,439 runs at a strike rate of 137.46, compared to Joe Root's 10 runs. MS Dhoni also leads in IPL sixes (264 vs 0), reflecting a more aggressive approach in franchise cricket.
Both players have contributed with the ball. Joe Root has taken 110 international wickets compared to MS Dhoni's 1. MS Dhoni has the lower white-ball economy rate (5.17 vs 7.92).
Both MS Dhoni and Joe Root achieve their highest batting averages in ODIs. MS Dhoni averages 50.58 compared to Joe Root's 51.15 in that format.
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