Johannesburg: Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday notched up yet another record after he went past Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara to complete the most catches for a wicketkeeper in T20 cricket.

While Sangakkara recorded 133 catches in 254 matches, the 1st T20 against South Africa was Dhoni's 275th in shortest format. Third on the list is India's Dinesh Karthik (123 catches in 227 matches). while Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (115 catches in 211 matches) and West Indies' Denesh Ramdin (108 catches in 168 matches) are fourth and fifth respectively.

With 77 victims in 87 matches, Dhoni also leads the list for most dismissals in the T20 international. Overall, the former India captain has effected 775 dismissals in 495 matches, placing him third on the list behind Mark Boucher and Adam Gilchrist.

After India's 28-run win over South Africa in the T20 opener, Dhoni joined some of his teammates for a celebratory dinner.

Virat Kohli limped off the field before India completed another dominant performance over South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium.

Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were mainly responsible for India's win, just two days after the tourists completed a 5-1 thrashing of the hosts in a one-day international series.

India captain Kohli left the field 13 overs into South Africa's innings after suffering a left leg strain while batting.

South Africa were without star batsman AB de Villiers, who was ruled out of the series after suffering a blow to his left knee ahead of the sixth one-day international in Centurion on Friday.

India also suffered an injury blow, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav missing because of a thumb injury suffered in Centurion when India completed a 5-1 series win.

 

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Visakhapatnam (PTI): Pointing out that 95 per cent of the country’s trade, including energy supplies, is conducted through sea, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday noted the Indian Navy's indispensable role in securing commercial shipping lanes and oil tankers against emerging maritime threats.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Taragiri here, the Defence Minister said the Indian Navy continuously maintains its presence in the Indian Ocean--whether it is the Persian Gulf or the Malacca Strait.

Singh’s comments assume significance following the disruption of oil supplies and blockage of oil tankers in view of the prevailing situation in West Asia.

According to him, a strong and capable navy is not an option for the country, but a necessity.

“There are many sensitive points in the sea where our Navy has continuously made its active presence to ensure the smooth supply of goods. Whenever there is a situation of tension there, the Indian Navy has ensured the security of our commercial ships and oil tankers,” he said.

The Indian Navy has proven that it is not only capable of protecting the interests of the country, but if necessary, can also take every step to ensure the safety of its citizens and trade routes around the world, he added.

Citing history, he said without strengthening the naval power, no country can be considered powerful in the right sense and therefore, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about Viksit Bharat by 2047, the basis of marine power becomes very important.