5 greatest wicketkeepers in history of cricket

The game of cricket has evolved over the years. The T20 brand of cricket has changed the perception of the game. The game has shifted more towards the batters. But the importance of the wicketkeeper has been an integral part of any team. They play a crucial role in the game as the ground is visible to them better than any other fielder and the captain as well. They set the fielders according to the bowler’s needs as well.  

The wicketkeeper must have quick reflexes and must be quick with his actions behind the stumps. This can make the difference between a win or a loss in any match. Therefore, every team needs a strong wicketkeeper in their playing 11. They not only show their wicket-keeping skills but they need to have aggressive batting skills as they come to bat late down the order in the slog overs. 

Here are the 5 greatest wicketkeepers in the history of cricket:

5. Ian Healy (Australia) 
 

Ian Healy is one of the finest wicket-keepers in Australia. Healy was known as one of the most consistent performers in the Test format of the game of the Kangaroos. He is the first wicketkeeper to have 600 dismissals to his name and broke the long-held record of Rod Marsh. In the 287 games he has played, he has 628 dismissals. 

4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) 
 

Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most stylish left-handed batters of all time. He is ranked among the best cricketers in Sri Lanka's history. Sangakkara has the record for most runs and centuries scored by a Sri Lankan batter. Apart from his stylish batting skills he also has great wicket-keeping skills as well. He has 182 catches & 20 stumpings in Test and 402 catches & 99 stumpings in ODI. In total, he has 678 dismissals in 594 international matches.

3. MS Dhoni (India)
 

MS Dhoni is the most successful captain of all time. Dhoni is the only captain to win all three ICC trophies. Apart from his brilliant captaincy skills, he is regarded as the top wicket-keeper as well. He was lighting fast behind the wickets and had 829 dismissals that he achieved in 538 international appearances. He also holds the record for the fastest stumping which was done in 0.08 seconds.

2. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) 
 

Adam Gilchrist is one of the most aggressive openers of all time. The left-handed batter is one of the three players to ever hit 100 sixes in test cricket. He was awarded Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2002, the Allan Border medal in 2003, and the World's Scariest Batter in 2004. Gilchrist is considered one of the best due to his record of 905 dismissals in 396 matches.

1.    Mark Boucher (South Africa)
 

Mark Boucher has played all three formats of cricket and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batters of all time. He is the first wicketkeeper in the world to reach 400 dismissals in test cricket. He also holds the record for the most dismissals ever by a wicketkeeper.  Boucher has 998 dismissals in his career while featuring in 467 international matches.