India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: MS Dhoni engraves three records in Cuttack win

New Delhi: Former skipper MS Dhoni played a crucial role in India's 93 run victory over Sri Lanka on 20th December 2017, in Cuttack's Barabati Stadium. Even stand-in-skipper Rohit Sharma praised MSD during the post-match presentation and referred to his promotion to number four as the ideal decision, "We can't talk much about MSD. He didn't get much batting in the ODIs but shows that class is permanent. We expect a lot from him and No.4 position paid off. He is someone who's played and won so many games, so moving forward we feel, in this format, No.4 will be ideal for him."

(Also see: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: MS Dhoni's towering last-ball six sends fans into frenzy – Watch)

Mahi's unbeaten 39-run knock coupled with four dismissals behind the stumps made him the first Indian wicketkeeper to post 35 or more runs and effect four dismissals in the same T20I, joining South Africa's Quinton de Kock (twice) and Pakistan's Kamran Akmal.

(Also read: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: Indian bowlers blitz past Lankan top order, lead 1-0)

MS is also the first wicketkeeper to effect four dismissals in T20Is involving India and Sri Lanka. He also has the most four-plus dismissals in T20Is which is three times.

(Also read: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I: Statistical highlights)

The 36-year old Ranchi native (201 dismissals) also became the second wicketkeeper after Kamran Akmal (207 dismissals) to complete 200-plus dismissals or more in T20 cricket.

(Also read: MS Dhoni at no.4 is ideal for India, says Rohit Sharma)

Dhoni finished off India's innings in Cuttack with a massive six which sent the crowd berserk. After the match, Rohit also added, "For a long time, MS has taken up the role of finishing and we feel it's time for someone else to do the job. MS can play freely in the middle. We didn't know what a good score here would be like. 180 was a great effort by the batting unit."

(Inputs from cricbuzz.com)