The game of cricket is followed around the world in more than 100 countries across the globe. It is a team game, and each individual needs to give it all to win a match. Batting and bowling are the two primary skills, but there is one more department that is as important as these two. And that is the role of a wicket-keeper.
10 out of 11 players can be replaced in the team, but it is the wicket-keeper that can’t be replaced. A wicket-keeper is as important for the team because he can control the game behind the stumps both tactically and through his performance. That is why we have seen many wicket-keepers end up as captains of their teams. But do you know who the keepers with the most dismissals with the gloves in their hands are? If not, let’s check.
5. Ian Healy (628 Dismissals) in 287 matches
At number five is the former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy. He was the pulse of Australia’s team during his stint. Healy made his international debut for Australia in September 1988 against Pakistan in a test match at Karachi. He kept the wicket for Australia during the prime of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and many legendary bowlers. Healy also captained his country in the ODI format. Overall, he played 119 tests and 168 ODIs, scoring 4356 runs in tests and 1764 runs in ODIs. He also had four centuries and 26 half-centuries in his career. Speaking of his wicket-keeping skills, Healy had a total of 628 dismissals, which included 560 catches and 68 stumpings.
4. Kumar Sangakkara (678 Dismissals) in 594 matches
Sri Lanka has produced some of the greatest players in the game. And Kumar Sangakkara is certainly up there among the best. He was an exceptional batsman, a great leader and an incredible wicket-keeper as well. He has played the most matches as a wicket-keeper in the world. Sangakkara made his international debut in July 2000 against Pakistan at Galle in an ODI. He has played a total of 134 Tests, 404 ODIs and 56 T20Is in his 15-year-long career. Sangakkara scored 12400 test runs, 14234 ODI runs and 1382 T20I runs, for a total of 53 centuries and 153 half-centuries. He has a total of 678 dismissals, including 539 catches and 139 stumpings as a wicket-keeper.
3. MS Dhoni (829 Dismissals) in 538 matches
If you talk about the greatest leaders that the game has seen, MS Dhoni will surely be up there. MSD was India’s best captain of all time and the only captain to win all major ICC trophies (ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy). However, he made his debut in the Indian team as a wicket-keeper who could score quickly and went on to become the game’s greatest captain and finisher. But he was equally good behind the wicket as well. MSD made his international debut against Bangladesh in December 2004 in an ODI match. In his 15-year superb career, he has played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is. He has scored 4876 Test runs, 10773 ODI runs and 1617 T20I runs with 16 centuries and 108 half-centuries. MSD ended up with 829 dismissals as a keeper, including 634 catches and 195 stumpings.
2. Adam Gilchrist (905 Dismissals) in 396 matches
The next on the list is the swashbuckling opener from Australia, Adam Gilchrist, who is known for thrashing the opposition bowlers. Gilchrist was a one-of-a-kind batter who always advocated for an aggressive batting approach regardless of the opposition or situation. He made his international debut in November 1996 in an ODI against South Africa. In his 12-year-long career, Gilchrist played 96 Tests, 287 ODIs and 13 T20Is, scoring 5570 Test runs, 9619 ODI runs and 272 T20I runs, including 33 centuries and 81 half-centuries. Gilchrist ended up with the second highest dismissal as a keeper. He has 905 dismissals as a keeper, including 813 catches and 92 stumpings.
1. Mark Boucher (998 Dismissals) in 467 matches
The man who holds the most dismissals as a wicket-keeper is the former South African cricketer, Mark Boucher. He kept some of the fastest bowlers during his time. Boucher made his international debut for South Africa in October 1997 against Pakistan in a Test match at Sheikhpura. During his career of 15 years, he represented his country in 147 tests, 295 ODIs and 25 T20Is, scoring 5515 test runs, 4686 ODI runs and 268 T20I runs. Boucher also had six international centuries and 61 half-centuries. He is at the top of the list with a total of 998 dismissals as a wicket-keeper, including 952 catches and 46 stumpings.
List of Best Wicket keeper in the World with Most Dismissals
Player | Span | Total | Catches | Stumpings | Dis/Inn. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Boucher (SA) | 1997-2012 | 998 | 952 | 46 | 1.674 |
Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | 1996-2008 | 905 | 813 | 92 | 1.865 |
MS Dhoni (IND) | 2004-2019 | 829 | 634 | 195 | 1.363 |
Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 2000-2015 | 678 | 539 | 139 | 1.358 |
Ian Healy (AUS) | 1988-1999 | 628 | 560 | 68 | 1.602 |
Quinton De Kock (SA) | 2012-2022* | 496 | 459 | 37 | 1.704 |
Rod Marsh (AUS) | 1970-1984 | 479 | 463 | 16 | 1.748 |
Brad Haddin (AUS) | 2001-2015 | 474 | 449 | 25 | 1.729 |
Jeff Dujon (WI) | 1981-1991 | 474 | 448 | 26 | 1.500 |
Dinesh Ramdin (WI) | 2005-2019 | 468 | 429 | 39 | 1.380 |