5 most successful Indian wicket-keepers in ODI history

Wicket-keeping is probably the most difficult aspect of cricket. Although batting and fielding require a certain amount of courage to face a fast incoming delivery, it is the wicket-keeper who has to face an incoming delivery from the beginning to the end of an innings. Legendary Stumper Alan Knott once said,

"Frequently, the assertion is made that wicket keepers are born and not made"

The statement is 100% true. It is not possible for every person to be the wicket-keeper of a cricketing side. Players like Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Alec Stewart made a name for themselves in the limited overs format courtesy their exceptional skills behind the stumps and are now regarded as the greatest wicket-keepers of all time.

Ever since the introduction of ODI cricket, several players have had the honour of keeping the wickets for India in the format. From Farokh Engineer in 1975 to MS Dhoni in 2017, India has never been short of brilliant stumpers.

As a continuation to our series of India's best wicket-keepers in all formats, we take a look at 5 most successful Indian wicket-keepers in ODI history.

#5 Parthiv Patel

The youngest wicketkeeper in the history

Along with Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel can easily be regarded as the most unfortunate wicketkeeper in the history of Indian cricket. Had they been born in a different era, each of them would have been the first choice wicketkeeper for India due to their keeping as well as surprisingly good batting skills.

However, Patel, who holds the record for being the youngest wicketkeeper in the history of cricket, played only 38 matches for India in his 9 year long ODI career due to one extraordinary stumper.

Patel kept the wickets in 25 innings in his 38 match ODI career. In those 25 innings, he accounted for 39 dismissals from behind the stumps - 30 caught behinds and 9 stumpings. His per match ratio of 1.56 dismissals/match is the highest for a wicket-keeper in the history of Indian cricket.

#4 Rahul Dravid

India's 'accidental' wicket keeper

No man has made more sacrifices for the Indian Cricket Team than Rahul Dravid. After a string of wicketkeepers failed to solidify their position in the ODI squad following the removal of Nayan Mongia, it was Dravid who took up the responsibility to act as the stumper of the national side in what can be regarded as his biggest sacrifice for the team.

Already a well-established slip fielder, Dravid excelled as the wicket keeper of India's limited-overs squad in the early 2000s.

In the 344 ODI matches that he played for India, Dravid kept wickets in 72 innings. He accounted for 86 dismissals from behind the stumps, which included 72 caught behinds and 14 stumpings. His decision to take up the keeping responsibility allowed India to play with an extra batsman in their line up, which was instrumental in the success of the Indian cricket team during that period.

#3 Kiran More

Infamously remembered for his on-field antics

It is rather disappointing that Kiran More is remembered for his infamous confrontation with Javed Miandad during that memorable India-Pakistan clash at the 1992 World Cup and not for his exceptional work behind the stumps. Although he was not as successful as his contemporaries like Ian Healey and Alec Stewart, More had a respectable run as the wicket-keeper for the Indian cricket team during his almost 10-year long ODI career.

More played 94 ODI matches between 1984 and 1993 and kept the wickets 93 times. In those 93 innings, he took 63 catches behind the wicket and was involved in 27 stumpings of the opposition player, taking his overall dismissal tally to 90. Not as proficient with the bat compared to other wicketkeepers, he often lost his spot in the ODI squad to other keepers, yet he was India's first choice gloveman for almost 10 years.

#2 Nayan Mongia

India's stumper under Mohammad Azharuddin

Agile and fast, Nayan Mongia was arguably India's best ODI wicket keeper in the 20th century. Under Mohammad Azharuddin's captaincy, he developed into an integral member of the limited-overs squad and was India's premier stumpers for almost 6 years.

Not only was he exceptional behind the stumps, he was a superb pinch hitter who often provided with those 20 extra runs whenever he was at the crease. Such was his prowess as the wicketkeeper that other keepers like Saba Karim only got a chance to play when he was not available.

Mongia was part of the Indian team in 140 matches, and kept wickets in 139 innings. He was involved in 154 dismissals - 110 catches and 44 stumpings - of the opposition batsmen. Mongia was at his best behind the stumps when Venkatesh Prasad was the bowler, as the two accounted for 28 dismissals together over a period of 4 years.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

One of the all-time best

If Australia had Adam Gilchrist in their side, South Africa had Mark Boucher and Sri Lanka had Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni has managed to craft a similar legacy and respect as the wicketkeeper of the Indian Cricket Team in the last 15 years.

Ever since he was promoted to the role of the stumper of India's senior team in 2004, barring any injury or hiatus, the former Indian skipper has constantly kept wickets for the team and has won plenty of matches for the team just with his exceptional glove work.

So far in his ODI career, Dhoni has played 318 matches for India and kept the wickets in 313 innings. Involved in 404 dismissals of the opposition batsmen, he has taken 297 catches and has 107 stumpings to his name, which is a world record in its own right.

Even at the age of 36, Dhoni is as quick behind the stumps as he was 10 years ago, and, if his current performance is any indication, it won't be long before he becomes the most successful wicketkeeper in the world.