In Indian Premier League (IPL) history, who became the first-ever captain to record 100 match wins as a leader?

Introduction / Context:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular T20 cricket tournaments in the world, and captaincy plays a crucial role in a franchise's success. Over many seasons, only a few captains have led their teams in enough matches to accumulate very high win counts. This question focuses on a specific record: the first captain in IPL history to reach 100 match wins as captain. It tests knowledge of modern cricket records and iconic leadership in T20 franchise cricket.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are looking for the first captain to achieve 100 wins in IPL history, not just 100 matches played.
• The options include prominent captains: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, and Dinesh Karthik.
• We assume standard IPL record-keeping by matches won while officially designated as captain.
• The question refers to a milestone widely covered in cricket news and exam-oriented sports GK material.

Concept / Approach:
To answer, we recall which captain has been at the helm in the maximum number of winning matches. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni), captain of Chennai Super Kings for most seasons and briefly Rising Pune Supergiant, has led his teams to numerous play-off appearances and title wins. He has captained in more than 200 IPL games and was the first to cross the 100-win mark as captain. Rohit Sharma has also been a highly successful captain for Mumbai Indians, but he reached the 100-win milestone after Dhoni.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the heavy-duty IPL captains with particularly long tenures: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma stand out. Step 2: Recall that MS Dhoni has captained Chennai Super Kings from the very first season, with a few exceptions, and has consistently taken them to play-offs and finals. Step 3: Remember news headlines reporting “MS Dhoni becomes first captain with 100 IPL wins” at the time he crossed that landmark. Step 4: Consider other options: Ajinkya Rahane and Dinesh Karthik have captained in much fewer matches compared to Dhoni and do not approach 100 wins. Step 5: Based on this reasoning, identify MS Dhoni as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cricket statistics websites and official IPL coverage clearly document captains’ win records. These data show that MS Dhoni was the first to achieve 100 match wins as captain. Rohit Sharma is also high on the list, but he reached similar figures later. No other listed captain has the combination of longevity and success required. Cross-checking with typical exam keys on IPL records further confirms Dhoni as the first to reach this milestone.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Rohit Sharma: A very successful IPL captain with multiple titles for Mumbai Indians, but he was not the first to reach 100 wins; he followed Dhoni.
• Ajinkya Rahane: Has captained Rajasthan Royals and other teams in limited seasons and matches, far below 100 wins.
• Dinesh Karthik: Has captained Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders for certain periods but does not have enough wins to come close to Dhoni's record.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often confuse “number of titles” with “number of wins” or think the most recent star might hold every record. Another mistake is to overlook the difference between matches played and matches won as captain. While both Dhoni and Rohit are outstanding leaders, the chronology of the 100-win record clearly favours Dhoni. Focusing on the exact wording “first-ever captain to win 100 matches” is essential to avoid guessing based on current popularity.

Final Answer:
The first captain in IPL history to record 100 match wins as a leader is MS Dhoni.