In Pics: As Rishabh Pant rises, who stood tall before him? Meet India’s top five Test wicketkeepers

1 / 7The role of a wicket-keeper in Test cricket has evolved enormously over the years. Back in the days, the only demand from a gloveman was to be safe behind the stumps – collecting the regulation catches, effecting timely stump outs, and marshalling the troops on the field. Not much was expected of them from the bat, but that has transformed in the 21st century, where they have to be a critical member of the line-up as well. From Adam Gilchrist to Kumar Sangakkara, the last two decades has seen several keepers who have been equally proficient batters in the longest format. On that note, here’s a brief look at five of them to have played for India in the whites. (Image Source: Reuters)2 / 7No. 1 | Rishabh Pant | The Indian vice-captain has been a force to reckon in red-ball cricket since debuting in the format in 2018. Pant has represented India in 43 Tests, playing 75 innings, scoring 2948 runs at an average and strike rate of 42.11 alongside 73.63 respectively. The southpaw has slammed centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa – unprecedented feats for an Indian gloveman, whilst also notching six tons and 15 half-centuries, including seven 90+ scores, signifying his knack of playing the long knock. He has taken 150 catches, impacted 15 stumpings, and looks set to be the long-term man behind the wickets for Team India in the decade to come. (Image Source: Reuters)3 / 7No. 2 | MS Dhoni | While Dhoni’s expertise rested more in the shorter formats, he was no pushovers especially with the bat in Tests. He played 90 of those games for India, scoring 4876 runs at an average of 38.06, hitting 33 half-centuries and six tons. Dhoni notched a double century against Australia in Chennai in 2013, when the home side whitewashed the visitors by 4-0. Dhoni took 256 catches and made 38 stump dismissals, averaging 37 with the help of eight half-centuries in 12 matches in England. He also led India in 60 Tests, spearheading them to victory in 27 of those. (Image Source: Reuters)4 / 7No. 3 | Farokh Engineer | Engineer was a dynamic wicket-keeper/batter from Mumbai, who played 46 Tests for the country. He batted at multiple positions in the order and scored 2611 runs at an average touching 31. Engineer scored 16 half-centuries and two tons, taking 66 catches alongside effecting 16 stump outs too. He played an important role in multiple Test match victories for India, including the 1971 series win against England and India’s first-ever away Test series win in New Zealand in 1967-68. He was also part of the 1972-73 series triumph against England, scoring over 400 runs in those contests. (Image Source: Reuters)5 / 7No. 4 | Wriddhiman Saha | The veteran keeper from West Bengal was an understudy to Dhoni for the major chunk of his career, but did get his due from 2015-18 when he was the team’s first-choice man behind the stumps. Saha ended up playing 40 Tests for India, scoring 1353 runs, averaging 29.41 with the help of six half-centuries and three tons. More than though, Saha was renowned for his exemplary glovework, barely ever missing any catches and using his athleticism optimally to convert half-chances aplenty. Saha took 92 catches and made 12 stumpings in whites for India. (Image Source: Reuters)6 / 7No. 5 | Syed Kirmani | Kirmani, who played for Karnataka and Railways domestically, was a part of India’s historic ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 1983-winning campaign. He played 88 Tests for India, tacking 160 catches and making 38 stump dismissals, whilst keeping to some of the most prolific spinners such as Bishan Singh Bedi and S Venkatraghvan. He scored 2759 runs, averaging 27.04, scoring 12 half-centuries and two tons too, often playing in the lower middle order. (Image Source: Reuters)7 / 7As Pant assumed vice-captaincy, it demonstrates the extent to which the responsibilities of a wicket-keeper have augmented. From being a rather fringe element in the setup, besides the specialist skillset that they brought to the table, they are now increasingly becoming a part of the leadership role. Understanding Pant’s record, his career in whites is only poised to blossom significantly in the years to come. (Image Source: Reuters)

Source link