List of oldest captains in IPL: MS Dhoni sets record

MS Dhoni returned as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain on Friday (April 11) and broke another IPL record in his illustrious career.

Also read: MS Dhoni's record as CSK captain in IPL

At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Dhoni walked out for the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to field.

Dhoni breaks his own record

With regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025, the Chennai franchise re-appointed the 43-year-old Dhoni as the captain.

At 43 years and 278 days, Dhoni is now the oldest captain in the history of the Indian Premier League. Dhoni broke his own record. He is also the oldest player in IPL 2025.

Dhoni first captain CSK in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. He has led CSK to a joint-record five IPL titles. Also, under his leadership, CSK won two Champions League T20 trophies.

For IPL 2025, CSK retained Dhoni as an ‘uncapped’ player for Rs 4 crore. As per the BCCI’s rules, players who have not played international cricket for more than five years, will be under ‘uncapped’ category. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, and his last match for India was in 2019, in the ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in England, which the team lost.

Oldest captains in the IPL

MS Dhoni (CSK) - 43 years 278 days (vs KKR, 2025)

MS Dhoni (CSK) - 41 years 326 days (vs GT, 2023)

Shane Warne (RR) - 41 years 249 days (vs MI, 2011)

Adam Gilchrist (KXIP) - 41 years 185 days (vs MI, 2013)

Rahul Dravid (RR) - 40 years 133 days (vs MI, 2013)

Sourav Ganguly (PWI) - 39 years 316 days (vs KKR, 2012)