WATCH: Dinesh Karthik hits 3 sixes in row, scores his maiden fifty in SA20

In the SA20 League match against the Joburg Super Kings at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, India's top batsman Dinesh Karthik put on an incredible show by smashing a half-century. With his first-ever fifty in the competition, the wicketkeeper-batter helped his club, the Paarl Royals, escape a difficult situation. He hit three sixes and four boundaries in his 53 runs off 39 balls.

While playing for the Paarl Royals against the Durban Super Giants on January 27 in the current SA20 season, Dinesh Karthik surpassed MS Dhoni in the rankings of the highest run scorers in T20 cricket. In the game's shortest format, Karthik reached a major milestone by hitting 21 runs off 15 balls, including two sixes, and needing just three more runs than Dhoni.

Watch the video here:

MAIDEN SA20 FIFTY FROM DINESH KARTHIK. 🙇‍♂️🌟pic.twitter.com/1c7uReQZ8l

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 30, 2025

The 39-year-old has now amassed 7451 runs in 361 T20 innings, including 34 half-centuries, at an average of 26.99 and a strike rate of 136.84. Additionally, during his career, he has hit 718 fours and 258 sixes. By contrast, MS Dhoni has amassed 7432 runs at an average of 38.11 in 342 innings, consisting of 28 fifties, 517 fours, and 338 sixes, at a strike rate of 135.64.

Dinesh Karthik demonstrates his commitment to cricket

Karthik has scored 6547 runs in 308 innings, whereas Dhoni still leads with 7160 runs in 332 innings, which was the highest run scored by a wicketkeeper-batter. Dinesh Karthik's accomplishment demonstrates his commitment and love for the game. He is 40 years old and still puts up powerful shows. His success has largely been attributed to his capacity to change and adjust to the changing needs of T20 cricket. 

Karthik is a great asset in T20 cricket because of his ability to score runs fast and adjust to various match circumstances. Karthik has shown himself to be a genuine match-winner, whether it is with his lightning-fast glovework behind the wickets or his ability to finish games with the bat.