Dhoni becomes first Indian keeper to cross 300 dismissals

mangaloretoday.com

Napier, Jan 19, 2014, (PTI): MS Dhoni, left, takes the catch to dismiss New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum for 30 off the bowling of India’s Mohammed Shami during their first one-day international cricket match, at McLean Park, in Napier, New Zealand, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today became the first Indian wicketkeeper and the fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals in One Day Internationals when he caught a Ross Taylor nick in the opening ODI against New Zealand here today.

Prior to the series, Dhoni had 299 dismissals (220 caught and 79 stumpings). The 32-year-old, who now has 301 dismissals to his credit, completed the unique feat in 239 matches.

With this, he joined a legendary club which features the celebrated trio of Australia’s Adam Gilchrist (472 dismissals in 287 matches), Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (424 dismissals in 362 matches) and South Africa’s Mark Boucher (424 dismissals in 295 matches).
Of the three international stars, only Sangakkara is an active player.

Dhoni achieved the record off young pacer Mohammed Shami’s bowling in the match here. In the 37th over of the game, Shami got Taylor to play a tired shot outside off which only took the edge on the way to Dhoni.

Dhoni’s 301st dismissal was a catch of Brendon McCullum off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Besides, Dhoni has now surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin for most number of catches against New Zealand by an Indian captain. His catch of Taylor was his 10th against the Kiwis.