SA vs NZ: Quinton de Kock breaks MS Dhoni’s T20 World Cup record

In a milestone-packed night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Quinton de Kock overtook MS Dhoni for the most wicketkeeper dismissals in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history, and South Africa brushed aside New Zealand by seven wickets to edge toward the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026.

Quinton de Kock surpasses MS Dhoni’s T20 World Cup dismissals record

The moment arrived in the powerplay when Marco Jansen kissed the outside edge of Tim Seifert’s bat and de Kock, as alert as ever, gloved the chance cleanly. That catch nudged his tally to 33 dismissals – surpassing Dhoni’s longstanding mark of 32. De Kock has assembled his record in 30 matches (26 catches, 7 stumpings), shading Dhoni’s 32 dismissals across 32 games. It’s his sixth T20 World Cup campaign since debuting in 2014, mirroring Dhoni’s six appearances that bookended India’s 2007 title run and his own final World Cup outing in 2016.

Most dismissals as a wicket-keeper in T20 World Cup history

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Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram anchor South Africa’s 7-wicket win over New Zealand

Jansen set the tone with the new ball and never let go. He pocketed a career-best 4/40, repeatedly prying open New Zealand’s top order. Finn Allen flashed promise with 31, while Daryl Mitchell’s compact 32 kept the board ticking, but the middle overs tightened like a vice. Mark Chapman threatened to tilt the balance with a busy 48 before Jansen returned to remove him in the 14th over. By the end of 20 overs, New Zealand found themselves limited to 175/7 – competitive, but short of intimidating on a quick outfield.

Chasing 176, South Africa chose fluency over fireworks. Aiden Markram unfurled an unbeaten 86 off 44 balls to match his career-best T20I score. He and de Kock stitched a rapid 62 off 28 deliveries to blunt the new ball, with de Kock’s brisk 20 off 14 ensuring the asking rate never spiked. Ryan Rickelton’s 21 off 11 added a punchy bridge; Dewald Brevis (21 off 17) held shape through the middle. The finishing notes came from Markram and David Miller, whose 24 not out off 17 ensured the target was hunted down with 17.1 overs on the clock – 178/3 and a statement of intent.

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