In cricket, people usually think that only batters and bowlers play the game. But it is not valid, as wicketkeepers are essential to a team. In cricket, the keeper is responsible for taking catches stumpings. Even for LBW dismissal, wicketkeepers have the best view and guide the team about taking a review or not. A wicketkeeper will be dangerous if he contributes to a team win with his great catches and unbelievable stumpings. So, here’s a list of the top ten most dangerous wicketkeepers of all time.
1. MS Dhoni
In the history of cricket, MS Dhoni is the best wicketkeeper ever. Undoubtedly, Indian cricket will never be able to produce wicketkeepers like him. No one can forget his lightning-fast stumping. Even MS Dhoni has a record for the fastest stumping, which he completed in just 0.08 seconds during an ODI against West Indies. As a wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni used to guide bowlers, which helped the bowlers to take wickets. MS Dhoni has dismissed 862 batters behind the wicket in his career, of which 634 are catches, 33 are runouts, and 195 are stumpings.
2. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is considered one of the best batters in cricket history. But he is also the best wicketkeeper that Sri Lanka has ever produced. In the Sri Lankan team, Kumar Sangakkara was the wicketkeeper and played a vital role. As a wicketkeeper, he has an excellent glovework and soft hands. Sangakkara has taken 609 catches, 29 runouts, and 139 stumpings in his wicketkeeping career. Undoubtedly, he is one of the best wicketkeepers of all time.
3. Mark Boucher
If we ever talk about wicketkeeping, Mark Boucher will be remembered as one of the greatest. During his playing days, South Africa used to be an unbeatable team. In that team, Mark Boucher’s outstanding wicketkeeping plays an important role. He used to have quick gloves and sharp reflection, which is very important for every wicketkeeper. In his career, Mark Boucher has dismissed 999 batters behind the wicket, which is the most by any wicketkeeper. Undoubtedly, cricket will not see such quick hand work and sharp reflection again.
4. Adam Gilchrist
We all know that Adam Gilchrist is one of the best-attacking batsmen that Australia has ever produced. He is one of the players who redefined test cricket. But Adam Gilchrist was also one of the finest wicketkeepers for Australia. Besides his aggressive batting, he was quick with his reflexes and gloves. Adam Gilchrist has taken 813 catches, 19 runouts, and 92 stumping in his career. After his retirement, very few great wicketkeepers like Adam Gilchrist can contribute with bat and from behind the stumps.
5. Moin Khan
Moin Khan is one of the rarest wicketkeepers for Pakistan who could contribute with bat and keeping equally. In his playing days, he used to be one of the most agile wicketkeepers in the world. As a wicketkeeper, Moin Khan was strategic and often used to sled batters. In his career, Moin Khan scored 6,007 runs in international cricket. As a wicketkeeper, he has dismissed 446 batters, including 342 catches, 11 runouts, and 93 stumpings.
6. Ian Healy
Ian Healy is a former right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper of Australia. He has played for almost 12 years in Australia, and in that 12 years, Ian Healy was the best and most agile wicketkeeper in the world. There are many incidents where he has done very quick stumping. As a wicketkeeper, Ian Healy had one of the best reflexes in the world. In his career, he has dismissed 602 batsmen behind the wicket in which 530 catches, four runouts, and 68 stumpings are involved.
7. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is a former right-handed batsman and captain of New Zealand. Under his captaincy, New Zealand played in the 2015 World Cup Final. But very few people know that Brendon McCullum had also been the wicketkeeper of New Zealand. Behind the wicket, he used to be very quick and agile, and stats also show that. As a wicketkeeper, Brendon McCullum has taken 496 catches and 34 stumpings. For sure, he is one of the best wicketkeepers in New Zealand. Even today, New Zealand’s team is missing his presence.
8. Rod Marsh
In the 70s, when most teams did not have good wicketkeepers, Australia was the only team with an excellent wicketkeeper named Rod Marsh. He was one of the first proper wicketkeepers in cricket. As a wicket Keeper, Rod Marsh had incredible glovework and quick reflexes. With his excellent wicketkeeping ability, he has taken 563 catches and 16 stumpings. After Rod Marsh, we have seen many great wicketkeepers.
9. Brad Haddin
Australian cricket has always been blessed with great wicketkeepers. From Rod Marsh to Ian Healy, Australia has excellent wicket-keepers, and it appears. After the retirement of Adam Gilchrist, Brad Haddin became the wicketkeeper for Australia across all formats, and he played his role very well. In his career, Brad Haddin scored 6,790 in international cricket. He has taken 449 brilliant catches, ten runouts, and 25 stumpings as a wicketkeeper.
10. Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is the current white-ball captain of England, and he has won the ICC T20 trophy as a captain. But Jos Buttler is also one of the finest wicketkeepers in modern-day cricket. As a batsman, he destroys the opponent’s bowline up as Jos Buttler is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. But as a wicketkeeper, he has swift hands and amazing glovework, and Buttler has dismissed many batters behind the wicket. He has taken 433 catches, 13 amazing runouts, and 49 stumpings in his career.
