Blink and you might miss it! Stumping in cricket is a lightning-fast move where the wicketkeeper needs to act quickly to get the batsman out. While batsmen and bowlers often get the spotlight, wicketkeepers play a crucial role too. They need sharp reflexes and full concentration to catch the ball and make a swift stumping before the batsman can react. This makes them some of the most alert players on the field.
Here are the Top 5 Fastest Stumping ever Recorded :
5. Brendon McCullum stumps Ricky Ponting
During the 2011 World Cup in Nagpur, Australia needed 207 runs to win from 50 overs. Although the Aussies won the match, a memorable stumping by New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum stood out. Kiwi bowler Tim Southee delivered a wide ball down the leg side, and McCullum quickly moved to the ball and removed the bails in a flash. This was an impressive highlight for cricket fans, and was one of the fastest stumping ever recorded.
In 2012, India played a T20 match in Melbourne against Australia. During the game, Rahul Sharma bowled a leg-break delivery that beat Mitchell Marsh, who was trying to hit a big shot. Marsh stepped out of the crease, and Dhoni quickly took advantage of the moment. He swiftly removed the bails, dismissing Marsh in a flash.
3. Mark Boucher stumping Marvan Atapattu
In 2006, South African legend Mark Boucher demonstrated his exceptional skills. While appealing for a caught-behind, he ran out Sri Lankan batsman Marvan Atapattu. Atapattu, not noticing where the ball was, stepped out of his crease. Boucher quickly flicked the ball onto the stumps while still making the appeal, showing great awareness and quick thinking.
In the seventh over of the IPL 2023 final, Shubman Gill tried to drive a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja, but the ball spun past his bat. Gill’s back foot went off the crease, and Dhoni quickly stumped him in just 0.1 seconds, getting rid of the in-form batsman.
1. MS Dhoni stumping Keemo Paul
MS Dhoni’s leadership and lightning-fast wicketkeeping are still top-notch. In the fourth ODI against the West Indies in Mumbai, he made a stunning stumping of Keemo Paul in just 0.08 seconds. This is Dhoni’s fastest stumping and also the world record for the quickest stumping ever.