IPL 2024: At 42, MS Dhoni continues to break records

Batting in the IPL is expanding by the minute. Since the return of the 10-team format, 1062 sixes were hit in 2022 with a balls-per-six ratio (Bp6) of 16.20 and 1120 sixes in 2023 with a Bp6 of 15.33.

Sixteen matches into the IPL 2024 season, 299 sixes have been struck at an astonishing rate of one every 12.59 balls. Put into context, if the season witnesses at least 17000 deliveries like the previous two editions, the tournament could nearly bear 1350 sixes!

Over the passing week, batters have continued to pile on sixes and records, while a few bowlers have reeled in some ridiculous feats.

Still the boss

MS Dhoni became the first wicketkeeper to record 300 T20 dismissals during Chennai Super Kings’ clash against Delhi Capitals. Dhoni has pouched 213 catches and effected 87 stumpings in the format since debut in 2006.

Visakhapatnam: Chennai Super Kings’ batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot during the IPL 2024 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, in Visakhapatnam, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)

Dhoni also became the first Indian wicketkeeper and third overall behind Quinton de Kock and Jos Buttler to reach 7000 T20 runs.

During his quickfire knock, the 42-year-old smashed Anrich Nortje for 20 runs in the final over, laced with two sixes. Consequently, Dhoni has become the first to hit 100 sixes in 19th and 20th over of an innings. The next-best, Kieron Pollard, stands at 57!

Silent Assassin

A game after turning 500 T20s old, Sunil Narine smashed his highest score – a whirlwind 85 off 39 balls with a career-best of seven sixes. The all-rounder exemplifies his versatility with the best economy rate in T20s – 6.11 (min. 200 wickets) while bossing the IPL power-play with the bat like no other.

Nearly 65 per cent (766) of Narine’s career IPL runs (1180) have come in the PP at a strike-rate of 177.31, the best among all batsmen (min. 200 runs).

Of speed and domination

Mayank Yadav, India’s latest fast bowling sensation, became the first cricketer to win two consecutive IPL Player of the Match awards in his first two matches. Mayank tops the fastest deliveries charts with a 156.7 kmph delivery, incidentally making him the first bowler to bowl at least three 155-plus kmph deliveries in IPL history.

Mayank Yadav appeals unsuccessfully during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The 21-year-old is only the second Indian pacer (after Amit Singh, 2009) to bag two three-wicket hauls in his first two consecutive matches.

Six frenzy

Nicholas Pooran has only been dismissed once in three innings but has notched up 146 runs in those, with 12 sixes. The LSG left-hander smashed his 100th IPL six in his 65th match and currently possesses the second-best balls-per-six ratio (8.7), only behind Andre Russell (6.62).

Duck trouble

Rohit Sharma equalled Dinesh Karthik for the joint-most ducks in the IPL with his 17th duck against Rajasthan Royals. Rohit also has the most T20 ducks among Indians (30). Joining him on the dubious list with his 30th duck is Glenn Maxwell, who fell for nought against Lucknow Super Giants. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder has the second-most ducks in the IPL (16) while becoming one of two batsmen to fall without scoring against ten different IPL sides.

Powerplay thunderbolt

Rajasthan Royals bowler Trent Boult with teammates celebrates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batter Naman Dhir during the Indian Premier League 2024 match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. (PTI)

Trent Boult recently became the most successful left-arm pacer in the IPL, surpassing Ashish Nehra’s tally of 106 wickets. The Kiwi picked up two wickets in the opening over against Mumbai Indians – marking it his fifth such instance. No other bowler has bagged two wickets in the first over more than twice in the IPL.

Boult has accounted for 26 wickets in the opening over in 81 innings since his debut in 2015, one short of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s record tally of 27. Interestingly, all 26 scalps have come within 57 innings since 2020.

100=200?

R Ashwin became the second bowler after Ravindra Jadeja to feature in 200 IPL matches. Incidentally, his bowling figures in his 100th (v Punjab Kings, 2016) and 200th IPL match (v MI) are identical (0/27).

Yuzi trap

Rajasthan Royals bowler Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates the wicket of Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 cricket match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, Monday. (PTI)

Wankhede Stadium may be a deathbed for spinners but Rajasthan Royals leggie Yuzvendra Chahal walked away with figures of 3/11 in four overs against MI. It is the joint-most economical (2.75) four-over spell by a spinner at the venue, equalling Harbhajan Singh and Rashid Khan (twice).

Ground-breakers

During the RCB vs LSG match in Bengaluru, Dinesh Karthik became the first Indian to play 300 T20s at home, while Virat Kohli became the first Indian to play 100 T20s at a single venue – the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

(Stats after DC vs KKR match on April 3, 2024)

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