Player Battles: MS Dhoni versus Jos Buttler

#4 The keeping techniques

Dhoni is well known for his unorthodox style

It is often said, whatever MS Dhoni does behind the stumps with his gloves cannot be taught in cricket coaching classes. The man is unorthodox , yet he is one of the most successful keepers ever. His flicks on to the stumps, his way of gathering the ball in front of the timber are just some of the things which now come very naturally to him. Remember the last ball run-out in the World T20 against Bangladesh, where he ran and took off the bails in a flash? Only a genius can do that.

Since making his debut way back in 2004, Dhoni has taken 267 catches and affected 92 stumpings in One-Dayers.Buttler meanwhile does the basics right, behind the stumps. Though he is a tall man, he stays low and watches the ball closely into his gloves. His movement too is like a traditional keeper who has been taught to be light on his feet.

He also uses his height to good advantage while grabbing balls flying over his head. Buttler has 101 catches and 12 stumpings to his credit in the 50-over format.