Super 'keeper Dhoni scripts new records, goes past Azharuddin

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first Indian wicketkeeper and the fourth overall to effect 300 dismissals in One Day Internationals when he caught Ross Taylor, off the bowling of Mohammed Shami, in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Napier on Sunday.

In the 37th over of the game, Shami got Taylor to play a tired shot outside off which only took the edge on the way to Dhoni.

Dhoni's 301st dismissal was a catch of Brendon McCullum off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Prior to the series, Dhoni had 299 dismissals (220 caught and 79 stumpings). The 32-year-old, who now has 301 dismissals to his credit, completed the feat in 239 matches.

He now joins the niche club which features the celebrated trio of Australia's Adam Gilchrist (472 dismissals in 287 matches), Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (424 dismissals in 362 matches) and South Africa's Mark Boucher (424 dismissals in 295 matches).

Of the three international stars, only Sangakkara is an active player.

Dhoni has also now surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin for most number of catches against New Zealand by an Indian captain. His catch of Taylor was his 10th against the Kiwis.

Image: Brendon McCullum of New Zealand is caught behind by MS Dhoni of India during their first One-Day International at McLean Park in Napier on Sunday

Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images