"Not something that I crave" - Dinesh Karthik breaks silence on surpassing MS Dhoni in all-time list

Former India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has opened up on surpassing the legendary MS Dhoni in an elite T20 list.

Dinesh Karthik, who recently participated in the SA20 league, said that he never played for records in his career and milestones don't matter to him.

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Dinesh Karthik surpassed MS Dhoni in leading run-getters list in T20s

Karthik represented Paarl Royals in the SA20 2025 after retiring from Indian cricket and became the first-ever player from India to feature in South Africa's marquee league.

He had a decent stint with the Royals as in 11 matches; he chipped in with 144 runs. The runs he scored for Paarl Royals helped, Karthik overtake MS Dhoni in the list of batters with the most runs in T20s.

Overall, Karthik has scored 7537 runs in 20-over cricket in 412 matches at an average of 27.01. On the other hand, Dhoni has amassed 7432 runs at an average of 38.11 in 391 T20 matches.

Both Dhoni and Karthik will be seen in action in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The former CSK captain will be donning the yellow jersey once again and will look to finish off some more matches for his team, while Dinesh Karthik will be participating in the tournament in a coaching capacity.

Notably, Karthik will be working with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as he has been appointed as the mentor and batting coach of the franchise.

It's great to know that I overtook Dhoni, but it won't be long before he overtakes me - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik, who is the SA20 Ambassador, during a media interaction on Sunday, February 16, said that MS Dhoni would surpass him in the list of batters with the most runs in T20s in the upcoming IPL season, and he is not bothered by that.

"I played a lot of my cricket wanting to play for India. And when I retired from the IPL and playing in India six months ago... I think that was most important - trying to play for the country and doing well. I have never been someone who has been fascinated by records, probably because I don't have great records. I don't know," Karthik said, as quoted by India Today.

"It's great to know that I overtook Dhoni, but it won't be long before he overtakes me. It really wouldn't trouble me much. I am happy for him to keep that record as the highest run-scorer as a wicketkeeper - I don't even know what exactly it is. It's okay, it's nice to know, but it's not something that I crave or really want."

Playing with Joe Root was one of the highlights for me in this tournament - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik shared the dressing room with the England National Cricket Team modern-day great Joe Root at Paarl Royals and while speaking about this, he said it was the highlight of his stint in SA20.

Karthik labeled Joe Root as a 'terrific personality and a legend of the game' and said that the English batter is very welcoming and always tries his best to help the young cricketers.

"Playing with Joe Root was one of the highlights for me in this tournament. I haven't interacted with him much before - I've just said 'hello, hi' when I've seen him - but to rub shoulders with him and share the same dressing room was fantastic. What a terrific personality!" said Karthik.

"He is a legend of the game. He will easily go down as one of the greatest batters to have ever played the sport. But the attitude he brings - warm, welcoming, and always eager to help the youngsters - is remarkable. He always wants to have fun and ensures the team enjoys themselves.

"We had this push-up contest after the match - all started by him. The energy he brings and the genuineness he shows towards the sport were wonderful. It was one of the best experiences, playing with such a legend. He was very relaxed, and it was a lot of fun," Karthik added.