5 wicket-keepers with the most dismissals in ODI cricket

Wicket-keepers are the focal points for the teams in all formats of the game. Not only do they contribute on the field by grabbing wonderful catches and effecting match-turning stumpings, they also keep the morale of the team high by continuously saying words of encouragement from behind the stumps.

They are also trusted upon by the captain to point out minor adjustments in the field and also whether to go for a DRS or not in the case of an LBW or a caught behind.

In spite of their obvious importance wicket-keeping is a thankless job. They have to keep their levels of concentration very high at all times. A single mistake made by them is scrutinized and analyzed over and over again.

Over the years, we have been blessed to have seen some extraordinary wicket-keepers in action. So, who among them have affected the most amount of dismissals in ODI cricket?

Let us have a look.

#5 Moin Khan

Moin Khan was a dependable keeper for Pakistan.

Span: 1990-2014

Teams: Pakistan, Asia XI

Matches: 219

Dismissals: 287 (214 catches, 73 stumpings)

Renowned for his competitiveness and combative skills, Moin Khan spent most of his career indulging in a slugfest with fellow keeper Rashid Latif to establish himself as the number one keeper in Pakistan. His superior batting skills usually put him ahead of Latif, as his quick feet and improvisation were extremely effective in the shorter format of the game.

What he lacked in natural ability, he made up with practice and hard work and was one of the most physically fit cricketers in Pakistan. He was anything but popular with his opponents; he had that irritating ability to get under the skin of any opposition batsman through his incessant chirping and relentless sledging.If there was one person who kept the fatigued Pakistani bowlers going on at the end of long, tough days it was Moin.

By the end of his playing playing career he had accumulated 287 dismissals in One Day Internationals which places him at the number 5 position on the list.

#4 MS Dhoni

Dhoni is very underrated as a wicketkeeper.

Span: 2004-2018

Teams: India, Asia XI

Matches: 315

Dismissals:401 (295 catches, 106 stumpings)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known for his swashbuckling style of batting, his cool and calm demeanor and his finishing abilities. As a captain, he led India to the number 1 position in test cricket as well as won the T20 World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Over the course of his career he has also established himself as one of the best finishers the game has ever seen.

However, his wicket-keeping skills are underrated. Whether it is him standing up to the pace bowlers or standing back to spinners (yes, he has done that too), Dhoni has always been innovative. The latest addition to his bag of tricks was his fancy footwork. On more than one occasion in the IPL, Dhoni used his pads to try to stop the ball, sticking his right leg out at ninety degrees when the batsman tried to play a late cut or a reverse paddle.

Dhoni can also pull off blink-and-you-miss-it stumpings. While most wicket-keepers receive the ball and then take off the bails, Dhoni does all of that in one single motion.

Dhoni rarely has had an off day behind the stumps. In 14 years he has affected over 400 dismissals in ODI cricket and with two-three years of cricket still left in him, he has a good chance of taking the top spot.

#3 Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher was a wonderful servant of South African cricket.

Span: 1998-2011

Teams: South Africa, Africa XI

Matches: 295

Dismissals: 424 (402 catches, 22 stumpings)

Mark Boucher possessed all the typical attributes of a South African cricketer - relentlessly competitive, aggressive with a never give up attitude. Short in stature, Boucher played some very important innings for South Africa at the back end of an innings, one of which was his quickfire fifty to complete South Africa's surge to a series-clinching target of 438 for 9 off the penultimate ball of a one-day international against Australia in Johannesburg in March 2006.

From the time he replaced Dave Richardson, Boucher remained South Africa's first choice keeper and is widely regarded as one of, if not, the greatest wicket-keepers South Africa has ever had. Boucher is the only wicketkeeper to take six or more dismissals in an innings on four occasions, and nine or more in a match three times.

Over 13 years, he effected 424 dismissals which included 402 catches and 22 stumpings. His career came to an abrupt end after he suffered a terrible injury caused when a bail struck his eye while standing up to the stumps.

#2 Adam Gilchrist

Gilchrist was a part of the dominant Australian team of the last decade.

Span: 1996-2008

Teams: Australia, ICC XI

Matches: 287

Dismissals: 472 (417 catches, 55 stumpings)

Adam Gilchrist, or Gilly as he was popularly known, was one of the most prominent members of the Australian team that dominated the cricket world in the late 90s and the early 2000s. He revolutionized the role of a keeper in the limited overs format. "Just hit the ball," is how he once described his philosophy on batting, and he seldom strayed from it.

Gilchrist took over the wicket-keeping reins from Ian Healy, a man who was excellent behind the stumps - and Gilchrist did not disappoint. He could make giant leaps from one position to another, leaps that would make a tiger proud.

The only difference is that Gilchrist could pluck out cherries from thin air as well. Gilchrist provided a safe pair of hands to the dominant bowling line-up that Australia used to possess at that time. All in all, he effected 472 dismissals in ODI cricket with 417 catches and 55 stumpings to the spinners.

#1 Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara has effected the most number of dismissals in ODI cricket.

Span: 2000-2015

Teams: Sri Lanka, Asia XI, World XI

Matches: 404

Dismissals: 482 (383 catches, 99 stumpings)

An elegant left-handed batsman and a reliable keeper, Sangakkara was an integral part of the Sri Lankan team for over 15 years. He, along with good mate Mahela Jayawardene put on many wonderful partnerships, including the record breaking 624 run stand against South Africa in 2006.

He was also one of the finest keepers of his generation as he successfully kept wickets to the great Muttiah Muralitharan, which was in itself a very difficult task. Even though off the field he, was the perfect gentleman, on the field, he was extremely chirpy and talkative and would try to get under the skin of the batsmen with his continuous chattering. He ended his ODI career with 482 dismissals to place himself at the top of the list.