⚔️HEAD-TO-HEAD
MS Dhoni vs Shane Watson: Who Is Better? IPL 2026 Stats Comparison
MS Dhoni has the edge on the headline numbers: MS Dhoni leads on T20I batting (1,617 runs, avg 37.6). Full T20I, ODI, Test and IPL stats are below.
MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) averages 0 fantasy pts per match. Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals) averages 0 fantasy pts. Full IPL stats & fantasy cricket comparison: batting, bowling, fielding, and form.
Full season · batting · bowling · fielding · MOTM · form
MS Dhoni vs Shane Watson · Stat Comparison Table
Head-to-head numbers at a glance. Higher value is highlighted in green (lower is better for economy and bowling/batting averages).
| Statistic | MS Dhoni | Shane Watson |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 98 | 58 |
| Runs | 1617 | 1462 |
| Batting average | 37.60 | 29.24 |
| Strike rate | 126.1 | 145.3 |
| Centuries (100+) | 0 | 1 |
| Half-centuries (50+) | 2 | 10 |
| Wickets | 0 | 48 |
| Bowling average | — | 24.73 |
| Economy rate | — | 7.66 |
📋 Format by format
T20I. MS Dhoni has played 98 T20Is and Shane Watson 58. MS Dhoni has 1,617 runs at 37.6 (strike rate 126.1), against 1,462 at 29.2 (145.3) for Shane Watson, so MS Dhoni has scored more. Hundreds: MS Dhoni 0, Shane Watson 1. Fifties: 2 and 10. Shane Watson also bowls: 48 wickets at an economy of 7.66, while MS Dhoni has not taken a T20I wicket.
ODI. MS Dhoni has played 350 ODIs and Shane Watson 190. MS Dhoni has 10,773 runs at 50.6 (strike rate 87.6), against 5,757 at 40.5 (90.5) for Shane Watson, so MS Dhoni has scored more. Hundreds: MS Dhoni 10, Shane Watson 9. Fifties: 73 and 33. With the ball, MS Dhoni has 1 wickets at an economy of 5.17 and Shane Watson 168 at 4.96; Shane Watson has more wickets.
Test. MS Dhoni has played 90 Tests and Shane Watson 59. MS Dhoni has 4,876 runs at 38.1 (strike rate 59.1), against 3,731 at 35.2 (52.6) for Shane Watson, so MS Dhoni has scored more. Hundreds: MS Dhoni 6, Shane Watson 4. Fifties: 33 and 24. Shane Watson also bowls: 75 wickets at an economy of 2.76, while MS Dhoni has not taken a Test wicket.
International numbers up to 9 July 2019.
Did you know: MS Dhoni
- Under him India won the 2007 World Twenty20, the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
- He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on 23 December 2004 and played his first Test a year later against Sri Lanka.
- He finished the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede with a six and was named player of the match.
- He led Chennai Super Kings to IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
🧠Quick quiz: MS Dhoni and Shane Watson
2 questions, answers explained. No sign-up needed.
- 1. Which three ICC trophies did Dhoni win as captain?
- 2. Against which team did Dhoni make his ODI debut in December 2004?
MS Dhoni vs Shane Watson · T20I is a highly-debated cricket matchup. Below are their T20I career highlights.
T20I career: MS Dhoni has scored 1,617 T20I runs in 98 matches at an average of 37.60, with 2 half-centuries.
T20I career: Shane Watson has scored 1,462 T20I runs in 58 matches at an average of 29.24, with 1 century. He has also taken 48 T20I wickets at an average of 24.73 with an economy of 7.66.
Stats are sourced from international career records. Compare more players using our Player Comparison Tool.
Who has more T20I runs, MS Dhoni or Shane Watson?
Who has the better T20I strike rate?
Who has more ODI runs, MS Dhoni or Shane Watson?
Who has the better ODI strike rate?
Who has more Test runs, MS Dhoni or Shane Watson?
SETTLE IT IN A GAME
Numbers only get you so far. Pick a side, MS Dhoni or Shane Watson, and see who actually delivers.
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