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Veteran Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has etched his name in the record books by surpassing MS Dhoni to become the highest run-scorer among Indian wicketkeepers in T20 cricket. The 39-year-old achieved this remarkable feat while playing for Paarl Royals in the ongoing SA20 2025, during a match against Durban Super Giants on January 27.
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Dinesh Karthik Overtakes MS Dhoni in T20 Runs
Heading into the SA20 season, Karthik needed just 26 runs to go past Dhoni’s tally of 7,432 T20 runs. Despite limited batting opportunities due to Paarl Royals’ dominant performances, Karthik finally surpassed the milestone, scoring 21 runs off 15 balls in the match against Durban.
T20 Career Stats Comparison: Karthik vs Dhoni
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinesh Karthik | 361 | 361 | 7,451 | 26.99 | 136.84 |
| MS Dhoni | 368 | 342 | 7,432 | 38.11 | 135.64 |
While Karthik now leads in overall T20 runs, Dhoni still boasts a better average, proving his consistency as a finisher over the years. With the IPL 2025 season coming up, Dhoni has a chance to reclaim the record while playing for the Chennai Super Kings.
Dhoni Still Reigns Supreme in IPL Runs
Though Karthik now holds the overall record for most T20 runs by an Indian wicketkeeper, Dhoni remains the highest-scoring wicketkeeper in IPL history:
- MS Dhoni (IPL runs): 5,125
- Dinesh Karthik (IPL runs): 4,463
This stat highlights Dhoni’s dominance in the IPL, where he has led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five titles and built a legendary career as a finisher.
Paarl Royals’ Historic Feat – 20 Overs of Spin Bowling
Apart from Karthik’s personal milestone, his team Paarl Royals has been in sensational form in SA20 2025. They currently top the points table with seven wins in eight matches.
In their latest victory over Pretoria Capitals, Paarl Royals also became the first team in franchise T20 history to bowl an entire 20-over innings using only spinners. This bold strategy paid off, securing another dominant win for the table-toppers.
What’s Next for Karthik and Dhoni?
With IPL 2025 around the corner, MS Dhoni will have the chance to reclaim his record, while Karthik will look to continue his fine form in SA20 and potentially return to IPL action.
As two of India’s most celebrated wicketkeeper-batters, their records will continue to be a major talking point in the world of T20 cricket.
