MUMBAI: India’s MS Dhoni on Sunday surpassed former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara to record most catches in T20 cricket during the first match against South Africa at the Wanderers on Sunday.
The India wicketkeeper achieved the feat after collecting a mis-hit from South Africa batsman Reeza Hendricks off Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India went on to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
MS Dhoni now has a total of 134 catches in T20 cricket as he went past Sangakkara’s earlier record of 133 in 254 matches. Sangakkara also had 59 stumpings to take his overall tally to 192 dismissals in T20s.
The former India captain has so far played 275 T20 matches, which includes franchise cricket as well as Twenty20 Internationals, effecting a grand total of 204 dismissals which includes 134 catches and 70 stumpings.
Dhoni is only three dismissals behind the overall world record currently held by former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal. He played 211 matches and effected an overall 207 dismissals (115 catches and 92 stumpings).
As far as taking most catches in the T20 format is concerned, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik is at third spot with 123 catches in 211 matches. Karthik also has 48 stumpings to his credit, which takes his overall total to 171 dismissals.
With 77 dismissals in 87 T20 Internationals, Dhoni is far ahead of the competition. He has taken a record 48 catches but is still behind Kamran (32), having affected 29 stumpings.
The Indian cricket team, meanwhile, claimed victory in the first T20 at Johannesburg as they defeated South Africa by 28 runs.
