Top 10 wicket-keepers of all time

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do no necessarily reflect the views of Sportskeeda.

Wicket Keepers are the second most important team members after the captain. Since they see all the action from the best position on the field, their input play a major role in the course of the game. Wicketkeepers are also in-charge of keeping the moral and enthusiasm of the fielders and the bowlers to the optimum level.

There have been many great wicket keepers in the history of the game, lets have a look at the top 10 wicket keepers who have managed to leave their mark on the field of cricket .

10. Moin Khan (Pakistan 1990-2004)

Moin Khan

Pakistan team’s world cup winning wicket-keeper and former captain, Moin Khan provided vital support and input towards Pakistan’s growing success in world cricket. He had to compete for his place in the team with Rashid Latif, but he was mostly preferred in shorter formats for his explosive and innovative hitting and gazelle like running speed. He could keep with ease to Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed.

Fun Fact: He is credited with coining the term “Doosra” for Saqlain’s away spinning delivery.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
ODI	219	73	214
Test	69	20	128

9. Godfrey Evans (England 1946-1959)

Godfrey Evans

Considered by many as one of the greatest wicket-keepers of all time, Godfrey Evans kept wickets in an era where cricket was played in probably the harshest conditions imaginable with uncovered pitches and rough outfields.

He played 91 Tests for England during 1946 to 1959. He was also chosen as the Wisden cricketer of the year in 1951.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
First class	465	250	816
Test	91	46	173

8. Alan Knott (England 1967-1981)

Alan Knott

Alan Knott was the first wicket-keeper to make his batting count and seriously contribute to the score. Teams feared his grittiness and finesse at the same time, whether he was batting or keeping. He is the role model for many wicket-keepers and was probably the first of the keepers to use tactics to disturb the batsman.

Fact: Wisden cricketer of the year in 1970 and inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
First class	511	1211	133
Test	95	250	19

7. Jeff Dujon (West Indies 1981-1991)

Jeff Dujon

Jeffery Dujon was the wicketkeeper who had to handle the heat from the fearsome West Indian pace attack in the 80s. A very energetic and capable keeper, who didn’t get to keep to spinners a lot, but gave the encouragement and security behind the stumps to the fast bowlers, who knew every edge and every knick, would be held safely. He was also a capable and skilful batsman down the order for West Indies.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
ODI	169	21	183
Test	81	5	267

6. Rodney Marsh (Australia 1970-1984)

Rodney Marsh

Prior to the emergence of Adam Gilchrist and M.S. Dhoni, Rodney Marsh was the leading wicket-keeper in the world. His partnership with Dennis Lillee was so effective that ‘c. Marsh b. Lillee’ appears for 95 times in 69 Tests that they played together, the most successful keeper-bowler combinations in cricket history.

Marsh was also a very effective batsman, capable to rally the lower order and tail-enders in a difficult situation.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
ODI	92	4	120
Test	96	12	343

5. Ian Healy (Australia 1988-1999)

Ian Healy

Ian Healy debuted in the very raw Australian side of 1988 and proved to the most successful wicket-keeper during his career. He was known for his enthusiasm and very gritty batting down the order.

Like Rod Marsh, Healy formed a successful partnership with both Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Ian Healy held the world record for the most dismissals in cricket at the time of his retirement.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
ODI	168	39	194
Test	119	29	366

4. Mark Boucher (South Africa 1997-2012)

Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher effortlessly filled in the wicket-keeper slot left emptied by Dave Richardson with his debut in 1998. Boucher also was much more capable batsman, who was capable aggressive batting in shorter formats. He is regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers produced by South African cricket.

His career was cut short, when a bail scratched his cornea during a freak dismissal in a practice match on his final tour to England.Fact: Holds the record for the 2^nd fastest century (100 in 44 balls vs. Zimbabwe in 2006) in One DayInternational cricket.

Also holds the record for most dismissals in cricket (999 dismissals in cricket).

	Matches	Catches	Stumpings	Total
ODI	295	403	22
Test	147	532	23
T20	25	18	1
Total		953	46	999

3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka 2000-present)

Kumar Sangakkara

Even though he has given up keeping in the long form of the game, Kumar Sangakkara is probably one of the greatest wicket-keepers SriLanka has produced. A wonderfully stylish batsman and very skilful keeper behind the stumps, Sangakkara has proved to be a wonderful captain as well guiding SriLanka to the world cup final in 2011.

Sangakkara has developed himself into an attacking batsman capable of destroying attacks at will. But his enthusiasm and safe hands behind the stumps has made him the go to man for any captain.

Fact: Kumar was a chorister and played the violin during his school-days.

	Matches	Catches	Stumpings
ODI	357	355	87
Test	117	169	20
T20	48	23	19

2. MS Dhoni (India 2005-present)

MS Dhoni

Widely considered to be the best wicketkeeper produced in India, MS Dhoni had to work hard on his technique which seems to be more of a home grown one than a coached one. Dhoni came through as an answer to the Indian cricket fan prayers for a decent wicketkeeper who could bat. They got MS Dhoni who announced himself with a brutal 183 against SriLanka in a One Day in 2005.

His keeping skills improved with training and time. Selectors put faith in him, and we got an excellent captain who won India 2 World cups, no.1 Test ranking in both Tests and One Day internationals. He has also established himself as the best finisher in limited overs format.

He is considered the best keeper batsman in international cricket today.

	Matches	Stumping	Catches
ODI	238	79	220
Test	79	37	216
T20	43	8	22

1. Adam Gilchrist (Australia 1997-2008)

Adam Gilchrist

Going in first or seventh, wearing whites or coloreds, Adam Gilchrist was the symbolic heart of Australia’s steamrolling agenda and the most exhilarating cricketer of the modern age.

Adam Gilchrist was an excellent stumper and made Australia a team that dominated world cricket for 15 years. He managed to collect 3 consecutive world cups, 2 champions’ trophies and many other accolades in his illustrious career. He holds the record for the highest individual score by a batsman in a world cup final with his brutal 149 not out against SriLanka in the 2007 world cup final.

Fact: He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.

He played in the 2007 world cup with a golf ball cut in half in his gloves for better grip.

Took a wicket with the only ball he has bowled in any sort of competitive cricket in the final match of his competitive careerfor Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2013.