Top 5 International teams with best wicket keepers in ODI history

3rd NatWest Challenge ODI  England v Australia
Adam Gilchrist

#4 Sri Lanka

England v Sri Lanka - 2nd ODI: Royal London One Day Series
Kumar Sangakkara

The massive turn in Sri Lanka’s fortune in ODIs was largely credited to their aggressive intent by their free-flowing stroke-makers. The pinch-hitting adopted by Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana redefend how ODI cricket was played.

The short-statured keeper batsman Kaluwitharana was a pocket dynamite with the bat, getting the Lankans to some flying starts. 'Little Kalu' could decimate bowling attacks to all corners of the park with his quick hands and. A gloveman par excellence, the diminutive batsman was electrifying behind the stumps with his natural agility.

Kumar Sangakkara would go down as perhaps the most complete wicket-keeper batsman of all time. A well-organised batsman with a solid defence, Sanga became a prolific run-getter for the Islanders across all conditions. He was adept at playing both fast and spin bowling and became the lynchpin of the Sri Lankan middle order.

The Lankans have been served well by Dinesh Chandimal who has a responsible head on his shoulders. Meanwhile, aggressive stroke-makers like Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera give the Lankans a lot of options with regards to their choice of fielding a wicketkeeping batsman.

Kumar Sangakkara: Matches - 404, Runs - 14234, Avg - 41.99

Romesh Kaluwitharana: Matches - 189, Runs - 3711, Avg - 22.22

Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news

Quick Links

Edited by Raunak J
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications