Safe-keepers: Top 5 active wicketkeepers in world cricket

Not many realize how crucial role does a wicketkeeper play in the sport of cricket. While we all gape at the batsmen accumulating runs and the bowlers bagging wickets, a wicketkeeper plays a role that cannot be undermined. The task is quite challenging too, and being a wicketkeeper demands a lot. Let us, on this note, take a look at five of the current best wicketkeepers in world cricket –

5. Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Drafted into South Africa’s international team in 2012, Quinton de Kock’s career graph has only gone upwards. A responsible batsman, and now the captain of the national team in all the three formats of the game, De Kock has proved his prowess with the gloves in each format apart from short-format leagues such as IPL. Effecting 427 dismissals in 245 appearances, which includes 396 catches and 31 stumpings, he happens to be one of the leading keepers in the modern-day.

4. Jos Buttler (England)

One of England’s most prolific run-scorers in the middle, Jos Buttler is one of the best wicketkeepers in the contemporary world. Through his consistent exploits, he has stamped himself as a mainstay in the limited-overs formats. Apart from his explosive instincts with the bat, Buttler has as many as 329 dismissals to his name in 248 innings in international cricket, which includes 292 catches and 37 stumpings.

How’s that for a grab!

Take a bow, Jos Buttler ?pic.twitter.com/AYwiZiJrSq

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 23, 2020

3. BJ Watling (New Zealand)

Despite a start-stop limited-overs career, BJ Watling has marked himself as a regular face for New Zealand behind the stumps in Tests. He is clean with the gloves and impressive with the bat as well. Initially a part-time keeper, he donned the gloves for New Zealand in whites once Brendon McCullum gave up the role. The 35-year-old, in 136 innings for New Zealand, has effected 259 dismissals, featuring 251 catches and 8 stumpings.

2. Tim Paine (Australia)

Added to the Australian side in 2009 for an ODI game against Scotland, Tim Paine’s career was hindered by injuries. However, ever since his comeback into the national side in 2018 and the role of captaincy being given to him, he has improved his game impressively. With 215 dismissals to his name in 107 innings, including 202 catches and 13 stumpings, Tim Paine is considered as one of the finest to have donned the gloves for the Australian side.

A few dropped chances from Australia, but Tim Paine held onto a screamer here to send back Pujara ??#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/VhilLAgICq

— MELbet India Official (@MELbet_in) December 27, 2020

1. Wriddhiman Saha (India)

Arguably one of the best wicketkeepers in India in the longest format of the game, Wriddhiman Saha’s wicketkeeping skills are rated highly by the cricketing pundits, and the 36-year-old has cemented his name in India’s Test set up ever since the retirement of the legendary MS Dhoni. Having shown his repertoire on the turning tracks of India to the bouncy and pacy wickets abroad, in 80 innings, Saha has effected 121 dismissals including 109 catches and 12 stumpings.