The precise skill of wicketkeeping is often overlooked in T20 cricket.
A wicketkeeper in cricket is as crucial as a goalkeeper in soccer. A skilled keeper enhances the fielding side with valuable insights, controlling the game from behind the stumps. In T20 cricket, their significance is even greater. A smart wicketkeeper contributes to DRS decisions, saves errant deliveries, advises on field placements, reads the batter, and catches fine snicks. Many great keepers have perfected these tasks over the years. This article will highlight the top five wicketkeepers with the most stumpings in T20Is.
Sangakkara, the legendary cricketer from Sri Lanka, is ranked fifth among the top five wicket keepers in T20Is in terms of stumpings. He is a successful wicketkeeper because of his brilliant attention to the fundamentals of keeping. During his 56 T20I appearances for Sri Lanka, Sangakkara stumped the opposition 20 times. His deft hands behind the wickets were a huge asset to Muttiah Muralitharan and other Lankan spinners. Not only was his copybook wicketkeeping productive, but it was also visually appealing.
Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad made the list regardless of his bulky build. This opening batsman is lightning-fast when it comes to both scoring runs and taking wickets. Inspired by MS Dhoni, Shahzad took up wicket-keeping. He is now regarded as one of the game's greatest wicket keepers. The greater the spin Afghanistan has, the more Shahzad plays a significant role. Shahzad maintains his aggressive play, supported by Mohammed Nabi, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, and Rashid Khan. To date, Shahzad has executed 28 stumpings in his 70 appearances for Afghanistan.
Shahzad in action vs. Jadeja
Third on this list is Mushafiqur Rahim, the former captain of Bangladesh. Rahim has played 99 Twenty20 international matches for the Bangladesh team throughout his more than fifteen years of service. Rahim is a technically skilled wicketkeeper who consistently raises his game when facing off against spinners like Shakib. His teammates and supporters have consistently praised his alertness and incredibly quick reflexes behind the wickets. Nevertheless, out of the 99 games he has participated in, he has only kept 80 wickets. And with his deft hands, he has struck out 29 batters in his 80 innings.
In the 2005–06 season, Kamran Akmal made enormous progress in wicket-keeping, impressing even Ian Healy. Consequently, Akmal was responsible for keeping wickets in Pakistan's inaugural Twenty20 encounter. He went on to establish himself as the team's regular keeper. But when his career came to an end, his abilities declined, and his incapacity as a wicketkeeper led to his expulsion from the team. He has 32 stumpings in the 58 matches he has participated in.
Expectedly, topping the list of wicket keepers with the most stumpings in T20Is is the legendary MS Dhoni. Renowned not only as one of the most successful captains but also as one of the finest wicketkeepers globally, Dhoni has definitely made his presence felt. With 98 T20I matches under his belt, he boasts 34 stumpings. Dhoni revolutionised wicket-keeping with his unique technique, where his wrists absorb the impact of the ball, providing crucial milliseconds for stumpings. His exceptional ability to decipher spinners' movements sets him apart, making him a standout in the cricketing world.
In T20 cricket, huge scores are a result of unbroken partnerships. Sometimes the main reason for them is the way the pitch behaves. A wicketkeeper's vision and awareness on the field are saviours in those situations.
