Legendary Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni on Sunday became the first Indian gloveman to score 7,000 runs in T20 cricket. The 42-year-old veteran achieved this milestone against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During the match, Dhoni was at his best. At the end, the former CSK captain, five-time IPL champion, hit 37 in just 16 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. His strike rate was 231.25. The result didn’t matter for CSK fans as they were happy to see their ‘Thala’ clubbing and punishing pacer Anrich Nortje by beating him for 20 runs in the last over.
As a designated wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhoni has scored 7,036 runs. In 380 T20s, Dhoni has scored 7,308 runs at an average of 38.06, with 28 half-centuries. His best score is 84*. His strike rate is 134.78.
The most runs by a designated wicketkeeper-batsman belongs to South Africa’s Quinton De Kock, who has made 8,578 runs as a wicketkeeper-batsman. In total, including matches, Kock has scored 9,407 runs in 329 T20 matches, at an average of 32.10 and a strike rate of over 137, with six centuries and 59 fifties.
DC won the toss and elected to bat first. David Warner (52 in 35 balls, with five fours and three sixes) and a returning Prithvi Shaw (43 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) started well with an opening partnership of 93 runs. After their dismissal, DC lost direction for a while until Rishabh Pant (51 in 32 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) finally scored some quick runs to take the side to 191/5 in their 20 overs.
Matheesha Pathirana (31/3) was the choice of the bowlers for CSK.
In the run-chase of 192, Khaleel Ahmed (2/21) and Mukesh Kumar (3/21) hampered the CSK batters with their line and length and at one point CSK were 75/3 in 10.2 overs. Useful knocks came from Ajinkya Rahane (45 in 30 balls, with five fours and two sixes), Daryl Mitchell (34 in 26 balls, with a four and two sixes) and MS Dhoni (37* in 16 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), but DC secured a 20-run win, restricting the five-time champions to 171/6.
Khaleel was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning spell.
CSK is in second place with two wins and a defeat, which gives it four points. DC are in seventh place, with one win and two losses, which gives them two points.
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