Everybody who is into watching international or regional cricket knows very well that a wicket-keeper is as important as a batsman. If you play cricket on your own with your friends and other local strangers, you must know personally the pain it takes to be the wicket-keeper of the match.
It places a huge responsibility on your shoulders. You have to very spontaneous if you are a wicket-keeper since you would have to catch the ball as soon as it passes by the wicket.
People who have only a surface-level knowledge of cricket believe that it is just an activity done by a player by standing behind the wicket, and does not seem so important. But you know that that is incorrect, right? That is why you are here: to know this article’s take on the best wicketkeeper in the world.
But before that, what is wicket-keeping?
Wicket-keeping is the act of paying close attention to the movement of the bowler and the batsman and ready to run-out the batsman. The single person who performs this responsible duty is known as a wicket-keeper.
The wicket-keeper is, of course, a player of the bowling team looking for opportunities throughout the inning to catch the ball coming their way. The wicket-keeper strives to catch the ball, then stump out the batsman, and run out the batsman.
Their purpose in the game is to touch the wicket with the ball in their hand, which will directly deem the batsman out. For this, they need to be attentive at all times in the game. Whenever a child tells their parents that they want to be a cricketer, everybody assumes that they would be a batsman. But that is the case that should be changed. A wicketkeeper is just as important.
How to be a good wicket-keeper?
If you are talking about the best wicketkeeper in the world, you should know what they are doing right. They are the most focused players in the game, so obviously, they must be aware of some tricks that the other wicketkeepers in the world are not aware of or are not practicing as much as the top wicketkeepers. Mentioned below are the three best ways to be the best wicketkeeper in the world:
- Improve your technique of catching the ball – To be a better wicketkeeper, you should always keep your eyes on the ball. Before each ball is played, you must get in a strong and low position. You must only rise from the crouch position when the ball bounces, not in any other circumstance. When diving to stump the batsman out, you should keep your head ahead. And obviously, you must keep practicing with drills.
- Play for the team – While focusing on your game, you must play with the team. Apart from improving your score and game, you should know that in the end, your single move can make or break your team’s game. Coordinate with the bowler to give fewer or no runs away to the opposing team. Being a good team player, you should, whenever possible, encourage your teammates to focus on the win. As a wicketkeeper, you will also help in the alignment of the slip fielders on the field. They should be spread evenly to allow good catching of the ball but close enough so that they can catch the ball that you miss.
- Build your physique – This is a given when you are going for sports. You must maintain good shape because you will have to be active at all times on the field. You will have to be flexible to dive to stump out. You should do both strength and cardio workout for balanced physical fitness. Develop your core. Repeat sprint training exercises that would build your body’s stamina.
Now, finally, who is the best wicketkeeper in the world?
Coming to the core topic of our discussion. Enough beating around the bush. Some may not completely agree to these players’ positions in the top list, but they have been considerably compared with other wicketkeepers to find out who comes the first. Here it comes.
Based on one-day international cricket (ODI), Kumar Sangakkara tops the list. During 36 innings, he badged a total of 54 wickets. Next comes Adam Gilchrist who, just 2 wickets short of Sangakkara, stands at 52 wickets high in the list. The third best wicket keeper in the world is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni has till date recorded 32 wickets. Brendon McCullum ties with Dhoni with the same number of wickets earned to his name: 32. At 31 wickets, the list mentions Mark Boucher.
The top wicketkeepers of the world are here in front of your eyes. Go ahead to do some research of your own and find out about each one of them.
