Cricket
21 Apr, 2025
As an Indian, how can you not know who the best wicketkeeper in IPL history is? Even if you're not into cricket, you should still know about these great players!
Besides MS Dhoni, do you know there are many other excellent wicketkeepers? Follow Vegas11 to know the wicketkeepers with the most dismissals and the ones with the most sixes!
To know how strong a cricket wicketkeeper is, people usually refer to these 6 key stats: Mat, Ct, St, Dis, Dis/Inn, and Span. "Dis" is a comprehensive indicator, and the higher the number, the better!
Check out the top 20 wicketkeepers in IPL history and see if your favorite player is on the list.
wicketkeeping statistics
| Ranking | Players | Dis | Mat | Ct | St | Dis/Inn | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO.1 | MS Dhoni | 190 | 264 | 148 | 42 | 0.76 | 2008–2024 |
| NO.2 | Dinesh Karthik | 177 | 242 | 141 | 36 | 0.73 | 2008–2023 |
| NO.3 | Wriddhiman Saha | 113 | 170 | 87 | 26 | 0.665 | 2008–2024 |
| NO.4 | Rishabh Pant | 95 | 84 | 72 | 23 | 1.13 | 2016–2024 |
| NO.5 | Adam Gilchrist | 67 | 80 | 51 | 16 | 0.837 | 2008–2013 |
| NO.6 | KL Rahul | 63 | 132 | 56 | 7 | 0.48 | 2013–2023 |
| NO.7 | Robin Uthappa | 57 | 205 | 57 | 33 | 0.28 | 2008–2022 |
| NO.8 | Kumar Sangakkara | 55 | 63 | 52 | 3 | 0.87 | 2008–2013 |
| NO.9 | Quinton de Kock | 42 | 92 | 35 | 7 | 0.46 | 2013–2023 |
| NO.10 | Mark Boucher | 38 | 30 | 38 | 0 | 1.27 | 2008–2012 |
Wicketkeeper Stats Explanation
Example: If a wicketkeeper has played 20 innings (INN = 20) and made 30 dismissals (DIS = 30), then DIS ÷ INN = 1.5. This means the wicketkeeper has an average of 1.5 dismissals per innings.
Karthik is not only an excellent wicketkeeper but also a batsman, with the role of WK-Batter. He is often compared to Dhoni by fans. With a career spanning 20 years, he is currently 39 years old.
He has played over 240 matches in the IPL and scored more than 4500 runs across all matches. He has made 177 dismissals (including stumpings and catches).
He often represents the Indian national team in various international cricket formats (Test, ODI, T20). He won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. He is a quick-reacting batsman and an accurate wicketkeeper. In 2022, he became the key run-scorer for RCB.
Dinesh Karthik is not only an outstanding wicketkeeper but also a skilled batsman, often compared to MS Dhoni by fans. With a career spanning 20 years, he is currently 39 years old.
Karthik has played over 240 matches in the IPL, accumulating more than 4,500 runs across all formats. He has also achieved 177 dismissals (including stumpings and catches).
Dinesh Karthik frequently represents the Indian national team in various international cricket formats (Test, ODI, T20). He was part of the team that won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. Known for his quick reflexes as a batsman and precise wicketkeeping skills, Karthik became a key run-scorer for RCB in 2022.
Saha is not only a top-class wicketkeeper but also the first player to score a century (115 runs) in an IPL final. He has excellent fielding abilities in Test matches (104 catches, 12 stumpings, and a total of 116 dismissals).
Although at 40 years old, Saha has slightly fewer dismissals than Dhoni and Karthik, his 113 dismissals are still impressive. Saha is also known by the title "King of Fielding Efficiency."
In 2021, Pant became the wicketkeeper and captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC). Under his leadership, DC showed confidence and maturity, reaching the playoffs and finishing third. He is not only a young wicketkeeper but also a left-handed batsman! He is currently just 27 years old.
Throughout his entire IPL career (2016-2024), Pant is known for his sharp reflexes in wicketkeeping, successfully catching both fast and spin deliveries.
He often manages to take difficult catches, helping his team make crucial breakthroughs at key moments. He is also highly skilled in stumpings, especially when facing spin bowlers, showcasing exceptional agility and quickness.
Rahul is one of the most elegant and consistent batsmen in the IPL, with over 3,500 runs and 25 scores of 50+. While he is more suited as an opening batsman, he takes on wicketkeeping duties when needed, effectively balancing both batting and wicketkeeping responsibilities for his team.
At 32 years old, Rahul uses his sharp judgment of the ball's line and length, combined with quick reflexes, to take countless catches behind the stumps. He has also demonstrated excellent stumping skills, especially when facing spin bowlers.
KL Rahul is one of the most elegant and consistent batsmen in the IPL, having scored over 3,500 runs and achieved 25 scores of 50+ runs. While he is primarily known for his role as an opening batsman, he takes on wicketkeeping duties when the team needs him, effectively balancing both his batting and wicketkeeping responsibilities.
At 32 years old, KL Rahul's precise judgment of the ball's line and length, combined with his quick reflexes, allows him to successfully keep wicket and handle various types of deliveries. He has showcased excellent stumping skills, particularly when facing spin bowlers.
Uthappa played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL and won the IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. As an opening batsman, Uthappa is known for his aggressive playing style, often building a solid foundation for his team in the early stages of the game.
Although his primary role is as a batsman, Uthappa's wicketkeeping performance in the IPL may not be as prominent as that of specialist wicketkeepers, but his contributions when needed are still commendable. His record of 90 catches and 122 dismissals (catches + run outs) came during his time as a wicketkeeper.
From 2008 to 2013, Sangakkara had his most successful years between the ages of 31 and 36, playing for several teams, including Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers.
Although he was primarily known as a batsman, especially as a powerful opening batsman, his wicketkeeping skills also played a crucial role at key moments.
During his 5 years in the IPL, Sangakkara completed 34 catches and 43 dismissals. As a wicketkeeper, he consistently performed well, showcasing high professionalism whether it was taking catches on the field or executing quick run outs.
At 32 years old, De Kock is primarily known as an opening batsman, but he has also maintained a high standard of wicketkeeping. His performance behind the stumps has been crucial for his team's success, especially in helping Mumbai Indians win multiple IPL titles.
De Kock, with his agile reflexes and solid technique, has completed 113 catches, 6 stumpings, and 119 dismissals behind the stumps. His consistent performance in crucial moments has made him an indispensable player in tense matches.
During his 5 years in the IPL (2008-2012), Boucher served as the main wicketkeeper while also being a reliable lower-order batsman.
His wicketkeeping was known for its exceptional reflexes, fine technique, and consistency. Especially against spin bowlers, he frequently made successful catches (59) and stumpings (18).
Although Boucher did not win an IPL title, his consistent performance as a wicketkeeper remained excellent, showcasing his versatility and reliability on the field.
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In the IPL, several outstanding wicketkeepers have stood out for their exceptional fielding abilities, recording the highest number of dismissals (or "outs"):
NO.1：MS Dhoni
With 264 matches and 188 dismissals, including 146 catches and 42 stumpings, his leadership and wicketkeeping skills, along with the number of dismissals he has made, have been crucial to his team's success.
NO.2：Dinesh Karthik
With 241 matches and 242 dismissals, including 219 catches and 23 stumpings, he is known for his versatile wicketkeeping and batting skills. Throughout his career, he has accumulated an impressive number of dismissals.
NO.3：Rishabh Pant
With 87 matches and 105 dismissals, including 92 catches and 13 stumpings, his ability to execute stumpings and run outs in crucial moments has made him one of the most active wicketkeepers of the season.
In the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the highest-paid wicketkeeper is Rishabh Pant. He was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a record ₹2.7 billion.
In the IPL, several wicketkeeper-batsmen have excelled in both wicketkeeping and batting, making significant contributions to their teams. Here are some of the most famous players:
MS Dhoni, as the captain and all-round player of CSK, is the cornerstone of the team's success, leading them to multiple IPL titles.
Wicketkeeping Record: 204 matches, 307 catches, 38 stumpings, 345 dismissals.
Batting Performance: Total 4,896 runs, average 40.2, strike rate 135, with 256 sixes.
KL Rahul is known for his elegant batting technique and versatility across formats, as well as his leadership as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants.
Wicketkeeping Record: 38 matches, 22 catches, 7 stumpings, 47 dismissals.
Batting Performance: Total 3,500 runs, average 41.47, strike rate 130.67, with 19 sixes.
Rishabh Pant (DC):
Wicketkeeping Record: 87 matches, 130 catches, 15 stumpings, 60 dismissals.
Batting Performance: Total 2,700 runs, average 43.34, strike rate 149.8, with 107 sixes.
Dinesh Karthik (KKR and RCB):
Wicketkeeping Record: 257 matches, 137 catches, 37 stumpings, 174 dismissals.
Batting Performance: Total 4,842 runs, average 26.31, strike rate 135.36, with 215 sixes.
As of the 2024 IPL, the wicketkeeper with the most scores above 50 runs is KL Rahul, with 25 such scores, surpassing the previous record holder, MS Dhoni (24 times). Following KL Rahul are Quinton de Kock (23 times) and Dinesh Karthik (21 times).
The main responsibility of a wicketkeeper is to prevent the opposing players from scoring, focusing on catching and dismissing players.
However, many wicketkeepers have also had impressive batting records during their careers, especially in limited-overs formats (such as T20 and ODI), often hitting sixes. Some famous wicketkeeper-batsmen who have hit many sixes in their careers include:
NO.1：MS Dhoni
T20I: 98 matches, 58 sixes. ODI: 350 matches, 229 sixes. IPL: 204 matches, 256 sixes. Test: 90 matches, 78 sixes.
NO.2：Adam Gilchrist
T20I: 33 matches, 38 sixes. ODI: 287 matches, 172 sixes. IPL: 80 matches, 57 sixes. Test: 96 matches, 100 sixes.
NO.3：Dinesh Karthik's
T20I: 32 matches, 31 sixes. ODI: 94 matches, 19 sixes. IPL: 232 matches, 171 sixes. Test: 26 matches, 6 sixes.
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