From Dhoni and Sangakkara to Boucher and Gilchrist, the list of the top 10 best wicketkeepers in the world is filled with legendary cricketers. Here’s the updated list of the best wicketkeepers in cricket history.
Who is the best wicketkeeper in cricket? It’s not an easy question to answer, but if you look at the numbers, South Africa’s Mark Boucher and Australia’s Adam Gilchrist stand out as two of the greatest. Throughout cricket’s long history, many incredible wicketkeepers have excelled in their role across different formats and eras. These players consistently performed in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, contributing to an extraordinary number of dismissals. Popular names like MS Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara also feature prominently on this elite list.
Top 10 Best Wicketkeepers in Cricket (Updated List)
| Rank | Player | Matches | Catches | Run Outs | Stumpings | Total Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Boucher | 467 | 953 | 19 | 46 | 1018 |
| 2 | Adam Gilchrist | 396 | 813 | 19 | 92 | 924 |
| 3 | MS Dhoni | 538 | 634 | 33 | 195 | 862 |
| 4 | Kumar Sangakkara | 594 | 609 | 29 | 139 | 777 |
| 5 | Quinton De Kock* | 255 | 459 | 5 | 37 | 501 |
| 6 | Ian Healy | 287 | 560 | 4 | 68 | 632 |
| 7 | Brad Haddin | 226 | 449 | 10 | 25 | 484 |
| 8 | Dinesh Ramdin | 284 | 429 | 15 | 39 | 483 |
| 9 | Rodney Marsh | 188 | 463 | 1 | 16 | 480 |
| 10 | Jeff Dujon | 250 | 440 | 0 | 26 | 476 |
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1. Mark Boucher – 2.18 Dismissals Per Game in 467 Matches
Mark Boucher is known as one of the safest hands in South African cricket, both as a batsman and a wicketkeeper. Over nearly 15 years, Boucher kept wickets for South Africa in 467 matches across all formats. His achievements are remarkable, with 557 dismissals in 147 Test matches, 441 in 295 ODIs, and 20 in 25 T20Is, averaging 2.18 dismissals per game.
2. Adam Gilchrist – 2.33 Dismissals Per Game in 396 Matches
A fan favorite during the 90s and early 2000s, Australian southpaw Adam Gilchrist was a force on the field. Whether it was his explosive batting or sharp skills behind the stumps, Gilchrist excelled in every aspect. Keeping wicket to Shane Warne was no easy task, but Gilchrist made it look effortless. He recorded 420 dismissals in 96 Tests, 486 in 287 ODIs, and 18 in 13 T20Is.
3. MS Dhoni – 1.60 Dismissals Per Game in 538 Matches
MS Dhoni is one of the most iconic cricketers of the last decade, winning every major ICC trophy for India. Known for his smart field settings and quick DRS decisions, Dhoni was a master behind the stumps. He achieved 297 dismissals in 90 Tests, 466 in 350 ODIs, and 99 in 98 T20Is.
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 1.31 Dismissals Per Game in 594 Matches
Keeping wickets to the legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is no small feat, but Kumar Sangakkara made it look easy. Known for his ability to read Murali’s deliveries when many struggled, Sangakkara’s 99 stumpings in ODIs show his mastery. He recorded 206 dismissals in 134 Tests, 521 in 404 ODIs, and 50 in 56 T20Is.
5. Quinton de Kock – 1.96 Dismissals Per Game in 255 Matches
Quinton de Kock, a modern-day cricket legend, will retire after the 2023 ODI World Cup, leaving behind a rich legacy. De Kock was both an opening batsman and a brilliant wicketkeeper, excelling against both pace and spin. He has recorded 459 catches and 37 stumpings in just 255 matches.
6. Ian Healy – 2.20 Dismissals Per Game in 287 Matches
Ian Healy is a Test cricket legend from Australia, known for his longevity and safe hands behind the stumps. Although he didn’t play T20Is, his impressive performances in Tests and ODIs make him one of the best. He recorded 396 dismissals in ODIs and 236 in Tests.
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7. Brad Haddin – 2.14 Dismissals Per Game in 226 Matches
Brad Haddin continued Australia’s legacy of world-class wicketkeepers after taking over from Gilchrist. Haddin handled the pressure well and delivered solid performances, recording 270 dismissals in 66 Tests, 189 in 126 ODIs, and 25 in 34 T20Is.
8. Denesh Ramdin – 1.70 Dismissals Per Game in 284 Matches
Denesh Ramdin was a steady presence behind the stumps for West Indies, a position they have struggled to fill since his retirement in 2019. Ramdin had 483 dismissals across all formats, with 218 in 74 Tests, 197 in 139 ODIs, and 68 in 71 T20Is.
9. Rodney Marsh – 2.55 Dismissals Per Game in 188 Matches
Rodney Marsh’s partnership with Dennis Lillee became legendary in Australian cricket during the 70s and 80s. Known for his quick reflexes, Marsh retired with 356 Test dismissals, a world record at the time, and 124 dismissals in ODIs.
10. Jeff Dujon – 1.90 Dismissals Per Game in 250 Matches
Jeff Dujon was a key figure in the dominant West Indies team of the 1980s. Known for his athleticism, Dujon took many incredible catches as West Indies’ fearsome pace bowlers attacked. He recorded 272 dismissals in 81 Tests and 204 in 169 ODIs.
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