Highest score by wicketkeeper-batter in World Cup history

Over the years, many wicketkeeper-batters have set the ODI World Cup ablaze with some memorable knocks. In this article, we are going to look back at the highest scores by wicketkeeper-batters in the rich history of the marquee event.

3) 145 – Rahul Dravid vs Sri Lanka in 1999

Rahul Dravid wasn’t a regular wicketkeeper but he took the gloves at various stages in his ODI career to help India pick a more balanced side. Against Sri Lanka, in the 1999 World Cup, Dravid played a glorious innings of 145 off 129 balls in Taunton, and his mammoth 318-run second-wicket partnership with Sourav Ganguly laid the foundation for India’s daunting first-innings score of 373/6 in 50 overs. The Karnataka cricketer hit 17 fours and one six in his innings. Sri Lanka could only manage 216 in reply as India won by 157 runs.

2) 149 – Adam Gilchrist vs Sri Lanka in 2007

Adam Gilchrist is regarded as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket. The flamboyant southpaw played one of the most remarkable innings in the 2007 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka in Bridgetown. Playing with a squash ball inside his left glove, Gilchrist pulverised the Sri Lankan bowling to score 149 runs off 104 balls. This knock featured 13 fours and eight sixes. Australia put on 281/4 in 38 overs in the rain-curtailed contest. Sri Lanka lost by 53 runs via DLS method. Gilchrist was also involved in three dismissals during Sri Lanka’s innings.

1) 174 – Quinton de Kock vs Bangladesh in 2023

The stylish left-hander took the Bangladeshi bowlers to the cleaners during his blistering knock of 174 off 140 balls in Mumbai in the 2023 ODI World Cup. De Kock hit 15 fours and seven sixes in his scintillating innings. South Africa posted a gigantic 382/5 in their 50 overs before dismissing Bangladesh for 233. This was de Kock’s third century in the 2023 edition of the 10-team tournament.