In Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final, Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first Indian and only second cricketer to effect 300 dismissals (catches and stumpings) in T20 cricket. Dhoni completed the unique triple century in the format with the lightning quick stumping of in-form Gujarat Titans (GT) opener Shubman Gill in the seventh over of innings.
As a wicketkeeper, Dhoni has a total of 301 dismissals including 214 catches and 89 stumpings. Apart from stumping Gill, Dhoni also took Wriddhiman Saha’s catch to add to his tally.
Only Kieron Pollard has affected more dismissals in T20 cricket (excluding run outs). Former Mumbai Indians all-rounder has taken 345 catches in T20 cricket.
The next on the list is Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik who has a total of 276 dismissals including 207 catches and 69 stumpings.
Apart from Karthik, GT middle-order batter has a chance to complete 300 catches in T20 cricket in near future. Miller has taken 274 catches so far. On the other hand, former CSK all-rounder and current head coach Dwayne Bravo has taken 261 catches in the format.
Earlier, the 41-year-old won the toss at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium and opted to field first. Dhoni decided not to tinker with the winning combination and played with the same team as he did in the Qualifier 1 against GT.
“We'll bowl first with the rain forecast being around. Yesterday we were in the dressing room. As a cricketer you always want to play. It was the crowd that suffered the most. Hopefully we can entertain them. Pitch has been under cover for a long time, but throughout the tournament the pitch has behaved well over here. Quite happy it will be a 20-over game we'll be playing. Serves justice to the tournament like this. Same team,” Dhoni had said after winning the toss.
However, rain did play spoilsport in the IPL 2023 final again and overs were deducted. After GT posted a record-breaking total of 214/4 on the back of Sai Sudharsan’s 94 and Saha’s half-century, rain interrupted play in first over of CSK’s run chase. With IPL 2023 final entering Day 3, CSK needed 171 runs from 15 overs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
After Sai Sudharsan's super show, Jonita Gandhi and Divine get fans off their feet during IPL 2023 final's mid-innings
Retired out in Qualifier 2, sensational Sai Sudharsan breaks Manish Pandey's record for highest score in IPL final by an uncapped batter
