Wicketkeeper’s role on the field of cricket is as important as any other player. They are the backbone of their team in terms of the team’s defence mechanism. Their role on the field is not just to catch the ball but to make quick stumping if circumstances allow it to change the game. They have to stay very attentive during the match.
There is no doubt that batters and bowlers are important but wicketkeepers are the real heroes of the game as they have the potential to do so and in the past this has been witnessed many times.
Cricket has always held a special place in everyone’s heart. Thus, we are going to talk about the top 5 best wicketkeepers in the world. Here are those legendary players who have performed amazingly taking wickets and stumpings.
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| Wicketkeeper | Country |
|---|---|
| Mark Boucher | South Africa |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia |
| MS Dhoni | India |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka |
| Ian Healy | Australia |
Here are the details of these players in their international matches:
1. Mark Boucher
| Team | South Africa |
| Active Years | 1997-2012 |
| Matches | 467 |
| Catches | 952 |
| Stumpings | 46 |
| Total Dismissals | 998 |
Mark Boucher is one of the best wicketkeepers in cricket’s history as he has had a total of 998 dismissals in his career. He has been a gem for the South African team as he was both a great batter and wicketkeeper. He has been an asset for the team as when playing he had the capability to play even under pressure with a calm attitude.
He has the highest number of total dismissals in international cricket and this makes him top this list of top 5 wicketkeepers in the world. Over the years he has been consistent and dedicated towards his game on the field.
2. Adam Gilchrist
| Team | Australia |
| Active Years | 1996-2008 |
| Matches | 396 |
| Catches | 813 |
| Stumpings | 29 |
| Total Dismissals | 842 |
Adam Gilchrist has amassed a total of 842 dismissals in his international match career. He was a talented batsman and wicketkeeper with great potential when it comes to aiming sixes when batting and keeping a sharp eye on the ball when wicket keeping. He has been an important part of the Australian team when he was playing and is still seen as an inspiration by today’s young players.
Gilchrist was among the best stumpers and played a key role in Australia’s command over the matches during his playing career. This made him the most iconic wicketkeeper in the history of cricket.
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3. MS Dhoni
| Team | India |
| Active Years | 2004-2020 |
| Matches | 538 |
| Catches | 634 |
| Stumpings | 195 |
| Total Dismissals | 829 |
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most celebrated captains of team India because of his leadership qualities. Along with this he is also a talented batter and wicketkeeper. In his career he has played a total of 538 international matches and has amassed a total of 829 dismissals in his career.
His calmness even under pressure and his attentiveness on the field made him the best man behind the stumps. Spinners and MS Dhoni as a wicketkeeper made the best pair to defend the opposite team. Along with this he was one of the most celebrated batsmen of his time in the Indian team.
4. Kumar Sangakkara
| Team | Sri Lanka |
| Active Years | 2000-2015 |
| Matches | 594 |
| Catches | 609 |
| Stumpings | 139 |
| Total Dismissals | 748 |
Kumar Sangakkara became the fourth best wicketkeeper with 748 dismissals in his career of 594 international matches. When on field he was a great combination of a good batter and wicketkeeper. He was an adaptable wicketkeeper to make a team with fast bowlers as well as spinners, as most of his stumps are recorded with them both.
He was a top-order batsman who used to play fiercely on the field and getting the most scores for the Sri Lankan team. And because of his talent as a cricketer he is respected by all others.
5. Ian Healy
| Team | Australia |
| Active Years | 1988-1999 |
| Matches | 287 |
| Catches | 560 |
| Stumpings | 68 |
| Total Dismissals | 628 |
Ian Healy was an Australian player; he started playing in the international team in 1988 and retired in 1999. In his career he played a total of 287 matches in which he has a total of 628 dismissals which brings him to the list of top 5 best wicketkeepers in the world.
Ian Healy was talented wicketkeepers as he was an asset to the bowler’s talent and the combo succeeded in taking the most wickets of their opponents.
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Conclusion
Wicket keepers play a vital role in cricket. Wicket keeping is a blend of skill and strategy on the ground. They work behind the stumps, but the contribution of wicket keepers changes the results of the matches. The players whom we have discussed have set not only impressive records but have also inspired countless fans and young cricketers through their game play on the field.
Wicketkeepers are the connecting link between the bowlers and fielders and their talent to react and act at a lightning fast speed can make their team win. Though all of the above mentioned wicketkeepers have retired from their international cricket career we can hope to see the younger talented players with a refined talent on the cricket field.
