In the latest match of the Indian Premier League 2024 season, Chennai Super Kings faced off against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Visakhapatnam. It was an eagerly awaited moment for CSK fans as their iconic player, MS Dhoni, took to the field for the first time to bat this season. Dhoni, who had previously opted to demote himself in the batting order, finally walked out when CSK found themselves in a tough spot with six wickets down.
Dhoni smashes 37 runs off 16 balls
The atmosphere in Vizag was electric as Dhoni stepped onto the pitch, greeted by thunderous cheers from the crowd. And he didn’t disappoint. In a spectacular display of power-hitting, Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 37 runs off just 16 balls, including 4 boundaries and 3 massive sixes. His innings began with a boundary off the very first ball he faced, setting the tone for what was to come.
Despite Dhoni’s heroics, CSK ultimately fell short, losing the match by 20 runs. But Dhoni’s performance provided the perfect entertainment for the fans, showcasing his ability to turn the game around with his explosive batting.
Not only did Dhoni excel with the bat, but he also made history behind the stumps. During the match, he became the first player to reach 300 dismissals in the T20 format. His milestone moment came when he cleanly caught an edge from Prithvi Shaw off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni’s safe hands have long been admired, and this achievement further solidified his reputation as one of the best wicketkeepers of the modern era.
To put Dhoni’s record into perspective, the closest contender is former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal, with 274 dismissals in T20 cricket. Even the veteran keeper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who hasn’t been keeping wickets this season, trails behind Dhoni with the same number of dismissals. South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and England’s Jos Buttler round out the top five with 270 and 209 dismissals respectively.
Dhoni’s performance in the IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals was a testament to his enduring skill and impact on the game, both with the bat and behind the stumps.
