IPL 2021: Analysing the wicket-keeping options of all 8 teams

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to commence on the 9th of April with a clash against the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

All 8 teams look evenly matched on paper, even in the wicket-keeping department. Glovemen have been resigned to bit-part roles in T20 cricket, with very few deliveries actually making their way past the batsman. But this only adds to their importance, as they need to remain alert throughout the innings despite not being in the game as often.

In this article, we analyse all the wicket-keeping options each team possesses and identify the man who's likely to perform the role in IPL 2021.

#8 Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni had a nightmare IPL 2020 season

Options: MS Dhoni, Narayan Jagadeesan, Robin Uthappa

There's absolutely no doubt with respect to CSK's first-choice wicket-keeper for IPL 2021. Captain MS Dhoni will once again be behind the stumps for the 3-time IPL champions, directing traffic and pulling off lightning-quick stumpings.

Youngster N Jagadeesan has piled on a mountain of runs in the domestic circuit, but even if he makes the playing XI, he should play as a fielder. Veteran Robin Uthappa is someone who isn't sprightly in the field anymore, but there's next to no chance of him being handed the responsibility ahead of Dhoni.

VERDICT - MS Dhoni

#7 Mumbai Indians

Quinton de Kock is one of the best keepers in the world

Options: Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Aditya Tare

Quinton de Kock was MI's first-choice keeper throughout IPL 2021, although Kishan played almost all games. The South African should continue in the same role, and the only way anything different could happen is if he loses his place in the XI to Chris Lynn.

But that's unlikely to happen now at least, with Kishan playing as a specialist batsman at No. 4 and De Kock opening the batting with Rohit Sharma. Aditya Tare, who has been on the MI bench for a number of years, will continue to remain there.

VERDICT - Quinton de Kock

#6 Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant has been appointed DC captain

Options: Rishabh Pant, Sam Billings, Vishnu Vinod

New captain Rishabh Pant will be DC's primary wicket-keeper in IPL 2021, with Billings and Vinod unlikely to even make the playing XI. Pant will have to be wary of not overburdening himself with a host of commitments, but he's in the form of his life and his keeping has never been better.

VERDICT - Rishabh Pant

#5 Rajasthan Royals

RR have Samson and Buttler as first-choice wicket-keeping options

Options: Sanju Samson, Jos Buttler, Anuj Rawat

With Samson appointed as skipper, Buttler is the runaway choice to don the gloves for RR in IPL 2021. The Englishman will take some pressure off Samson's young shoulders, leaving him to focus on his captaincy.

Rawat has been in stellar form for Delhi in the domestic circuit, and he could keep if he makes the playing XI. But as of now, that doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

VERDICT - Jos Buttler

#4 Punjab Kings

KL Rahul kept wickets for PBKS in IPL 2020 despite having a lot on his plate

Options: KL Rahul, Nicholas Pooran, Prabhsimran Singh

Although Rahul was handed captaincy of PBKS last year, he took up the wicket-keeping responsibilities throughout the season and did fairly well. The same should continue this year, although another option in Pooran should be part of the XI.

Young Prabhsimran has been in exceptional form in domestic cricket, and he could be handed the gloves if he makes the playing XI. But the most likely choice seems to be Rahul.

VERDICT - KL Rahul

#3 Sunrisers Hyderabad

Options: Jonny Bairstow, Wriddhiman Saha, Shreevats Goswami

This decision is touch-and-go, as both Saha and Bairstow have valid cases to be included in the SRH XI. The Englishman should get the nod owing to the outrageous form he's in, even if that means all three of Warner, Bairstow and Williamson play.

Saha is a far better gloveman skill-wise, and if he makes the XI, he's a shoo-in. But Bairstow should keep, at least at the start of the season.

VERDICT - Jonny Bairstow

#2 Kolkata Knight Riders

Dinesh Karthik isn't the captain now, but he's definitely the wicket-keeper

Options: Dinesh Karthik, Tim Seifert, Sheldon Jackson

There's no doubt in KKR's case as well. Former captain Karthik will keep wickets for the team in IPL 2021. Seifert is another option, but there's no way he fits into KKR's overseas combination, which is all but settled. Jackson will be nothing more than an injury backup for Karthik.

VERDICT - Dinesh Karthik

#1 Royal Challengers Bangalore

Options: AB de Villiers, Finn Allen, Mohammed Azharuddeen, KS Bharat

After the withdrawal of Josh Philippe, RCB have some choices to make. Devdutt Padikkal's availability for the first two games is still not known, and captain Virat Kohli is expected to open the batting with Azharuddeen in case Padikkal doesn't recover in time.

Even if Azharuddeen doesn't open, he's likely to be in the team in the middle order. And him donning the gloves would greatly help De Villiers, who is an asset in the field and shouldn't be burdened unnecessarily.

Young Allen played a stellar knock for New Zealand, and if an overseas slot in the team opens up, he is another choice.

VERDICT - Mohammed Azharuddeen