IND versus SA, 4th T20I: Dinesh Karthik Breaks MS Dhoni's T20I Half-Century Record

At the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, veteran India wicketkeeper hitter Dinesh Karthik once again demonstrated his 360-degree batting talent by slamming the South African bowlers all over the field.

Against a powerful Proteas attack, the 37-year-old smashed his maiden T20I fifty to help India post a battling 169/7 in 20 overs.

Karthik, who made his T20I debut in 2006, hit a superb six-over cow corner to seal his maiden fifty. After a fantastic Indian Premier League season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, the experienced wicketkeeper made his comeback to the Indian side after almost three years. In IPL 2022, he scored 330 runs with a strike rate of 183.33.

Karthik stepped out to bat on Friday at a critical moment for India when they were 4 down for 81 in 12.5 overs. Karthik teamed up with Hardik Pandya to help India get back on track and give their bowlers a chance.

The 37-year-old reached fifty on the first ball of the last over, but Dwaine Pretorius avenged himself by removing him on the following ball for 55. He hit 9 fours and 2 sixes in his 27-ball stay.

Meanwhile, Karthik beat MS Dhoni's record by being the oldest Indian player to get a half-century in a T20I match.