Wicketkeeping is like an underdog in the game of Cricket – while we all love watching a batsman hit a six, and a fielder catches the same, or a bowler knocks him out, we hardly ever acknowledge the challenge that is presented by wicket-keeping.
Every cricket team out there requires a wicketkeeper who is reliable, not to mention highly skilled – you need safe hands to take charge behind the wickets. A team can lose an entire match simply because the wicketkeeper couldn’t do his job.
A wicketkeeper who is highly skilled usually motivates the bowlers as well as the fielders at all times, under any circumstance, thereby keeping the team’s spirit flying high. At the same time, you will also be able to spot some wicketkeepers who are all incredibly talented – these players usually contribute effectively to the team’s success.
But then, who is the best wicket keeper in the world? Stay tuned to find out more about the same.
Unveiling The Best Wicket Keeper In The World: Who Holds the Title?
So, who is the best wicket keeper in the world? A wicketkeeper’s diving catch, save down on the leg side, and, most importantly, quick stumping are all potential benefits to impact any cricket match.
In the history of Cricket, there are only a handful of wicketkeepers who also happen to be highly skilled batsmen. Wicketkeepers play a challenging role, but then who’s the best? Let’s find out…shall we?
1. Adam Gilchrist (Australia):
Undoubtedly, the best wicket-keeper in the world is Adam Gilchrist – and like we were just saying, he is also an outstanding batsman.
Before Gilchrist, typically, wicketkeepers were all brawny individuals who always engaged in some sort of physical combat – during this time, wicketkeepers were also expected to just play around right or seven in the position.
But then Gilchrist came into the scene and changed the perception of fans and enthusiasts forever. This man literally altered the entire landscape of how wicketkeeping is seen permanently.
That was a brand-new age for Cricket, and Gilchrist set the bar so high that others have only been making an effort to reach that point.
Gilchrist’s most-memorable records,
- 416 Test dismissals,
- 472 dismissals in ODIs,
- faster 100, 200, and 300 dismissals.
2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India):
We are all fans of Captain Cool – so if you ask, he is the best wicket keeper in the world!
Undoubtedly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most well-known captains in this world. And apart from that, he also happens to be a highly skilled batsman and wicketkeeper.
This man is not just known for his remarkable captaincy but also for some impeccable records – he is the only player in the history of IPL to play 10 cricket finals. Not to forget that Dhoni led India to a much-needed victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
In addition to the same, Dhoni also happens to be the only batsman-wicketkeeping in the history of Indian Test Cricket who scored not just a century but a double century. This talented man is also the 1st wicketkeeper in India who scored 4000 runs in test matches.
Those are not the only targets that make it to this list – oh no, there’s more!
- 294 test dismissals accompanied by 38 stumpings and 256 catches.
- 444 dismissals in ODIs accompanied by 123 stumpings and 321 catches.
- 10 sixes and 15 fours at a 126.20 strike rate in 2005 against Sri Lanka.
3. Mark Boucher (South Africa):
You can google ‘world number one wicket keeper’ or even ‘world best wicket keeper’, and Mark Boucher’s name is bound to crop up on all these lists – it’s only natural. If you do keep up with the world of Cricket, then you definitely know him.
Popularly known as the best wicketkeeper out there, Boucher has some impressive records in global wicketkeeping history. Currently, Boucher has the record of taking the most number of catches in the history of wicketkeeping.
In the month of November 2011, Boucher managed to achieve a solid milestone of taking 500 catches in the history of test cricket. This talented man always stood out in the field – it was his footwork and dexterity behind the wickets that gained him so many fans across the globe.
Here’s a glimpse of Boucher’s most memorable records,
- Most number of dismissals, including tests – a total of 998.
- 424 dismissals in ODIs.
- 55 test dismissals accompanied by 23 stumpings and 532 catches.
4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka):
If you ask us who is the best wicket keeper in the world, it would be unfair not to mention Kumar Sangakkara. And unsurprisingly, even Sangakkara is one of the best batsmen in the history of Sri Lankan cricket history.
It is Sangakkara’s unmatched consistency that makes him so good at batting and wicketkeeping. Sangakkara’s unwavering dedication and remarkable skills have made an unforgettable mark on both one-day and test cricket.
He provided Sri Lanka with more than just a wicketkeeper, transforming Sri Lanka’s batting game in the process. By 2008, Sangakkara scored a whopping 6127 runs with 55.19 as an average – by this time, he had already played 90 test matches, and in 73 of these matches, he played as a wicketkeeper.
Let’s look at some of Sangakkara’s most memorable records,
- 482 dismissals in ODIs accompanied by 99 stumpings and 383 catches.
- Test average of 57.40 as a batsman.
- Scored 14ooo runs in a total of 404 games.
5. Rod Marsh (Australia):
Certainly not remembered as the best cricket wicket keeper in the world, but Rod Marsh played a huge role in the rise of Australia back in the ‘70s. And this is precisely why Marsh needs to be remembered in this list featuring the best wicketkeepers in the world.
It must have taken Marsh tremendous effort and commitment toward his craft – he earned the nickname of ‘Iron Gloves’ so early in his illustrious career. The man retired from the world of Test cricket as the fastest wicket keeper in the world at that time.
Marsh was a wicketkeeper with multiple records – famous players like Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hadin, Ian Healy, and so many others have followed Marsh’s wicketkeeping model. And obviously, Marsh was also a fantastic batsman and played an iconic role under the captaincy of Ian Chappel in the ‘70s.
But if you ask about our favorite records of Rod Marsh, then those are as follows:
- 355 test dismissals (world record when he retired).
- 15 wicketkeeping dismissals and 300 runs in one series (of test matches).
- 2nd most catches in a series.
And It’s A Wrap!
And that’s a wrap on the best wicket keeper in the world – there is more than one famous wicketkeeper in the world who holds the title. We managed to list our top five – but the question is, who are your top five?
What are your thoughts on our top five – and while sharing your thoughts, feel free to reveal more about your favorite wicketkeepers in the world in the comments below.
Additional Reading:
