IPL 2018: Rating the wicket-keepers of each IPL side after the halfway mark

The Indian Premier League has reached the halfway mark and by now, we have seen quite a few match-winning performances with both the bat as well as the ball. This season we have seen a lot of blazing performances from the wicket-keepers as well. The glove-men have lit up this season with some swashbuckling performances.

Wicket-keeping is the most thankless job in cricket. It is one of the most challenging tasks in cricket. Wicket-keeping requires an immense amount of concentration, sharpness, and flexibility.

A quality wicket-keeper can lift up his side not only with his batting but also with his sharp and smart wicket-keeping. Hence, whatever may be the format, the wicket-keeper is a vital cog in any team.

Thus, let us now have a look at the performances of the wicket-keepers of each IPL franchise so far.

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#8 Wriddhiman Saha (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Wriddhiman Saha, the wicket-keeper for the Indian team in Tests, hasn't been able to perform in this year's IPL.

Batting

From eight matches, Saha has only scored 79 runs at an average of 13.16, and a strike-rate of 112.85. With his highest score in the tournament (IPL 2018) being 24 so far, Saha has failed to throttle SRH to a good start in the opportunities he was provided with. Saha got promoted as an opener in the absence of a second opener who could firepower the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan. However, with his limited array of shots, he failed to perform. With almost half of IPL being over, Saha will need to perform to be in contention as an able wicket-keeper T20 batsman.

Wicket-keeping

Although Saha has failed to perform as a batsman, his wicket-.keeping has been up to the mark. In eight matches, Saha has affected five dismissals behind the stumps which include four catches and a stumping.

Rating: 4.5/10

#7 Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)

Ishan Kishan, a wicket-keeper batsman from Jharkhand, has been one of the most promising talents in the IPL. Amongst all other wicket-keepers, Kishan is the only uncapped player. Ishan has had a decent performance in the IPL so far.

Batting

From eight matches, Kishan has scored 151 runs at an average of 21.57, and a strike-rate of 139.81 with a solitary fifty to his name.

One problem that Kishan has faced this IPL is that he hasn't been able to convert the starts for MI. With IPL at the halfway stage, Kishan will need to firepower the starts and finish off the games for his team.

Wicket-keeping

Unlike his batting, Kishan has done a fair bit of job in wicket-keeping. Thus far, Kishan has affected eight dismissals which include six catches and two stumpings. All in all, Kishan has been good behind the stumps.

Rating: 5.5/10

#6 Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals)

Jos Buttler, the English wicket-keeper batsman, is a perfect T20 combo with power-hitting skills on his side. However, due to various reasons, Buttler hasn't been able to justify his price tag.

Batting

In eight matches, Buttler has scored 187 runs at an average of 26.71, and a strike-rate of 154.54 with a solitary fifty to his name. RR brought in Jos Buttler as a wicket-keeper batsman who could finish the games for his team. However, the opposite has been the case for RR. Thus, Buttler will need to step up and perform if Royals want to see them in the top four of the points table. However, it seems that Buttler has hit the right form after his blazing fifty against Delhi Daredevils.

Wicket-keeping

More like his batting, his wicket-keeping has also been average. Thus far, the Englishman has missed a couple of catches and stumping chances as well. In eight matches, Buttler has affected eight catches behind the stumps with a series of stumpings chances missed.

Rating: 6/10

#5 Quinton de Kock (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Every once in a while, usually a very long while, there comes a player who manages to capture your imagination. Quinton de Kock is one such talent from South Africa. de Kock has done a fantastic job for RCB thus far.

Batting

From eight matches, de Kock has scored 201 runs at an average of 25.12, and a strike-rate of 124.07 with one fifty to his name. de Kock has been the fourth highest run-scorer for RCB in this year's IPL. Having opened the innings for RCB, de Kock has provided them with blazing starts but has failed to dominate the post-powerplay phase. Thus, with almost six matches remaining for RCB, they will demand a more mature performance from de Kock.

Wicket-keeping

Thus far, Quinton de Kock has had a good time behind the stumps. In eight matches so far, de Kock has affected ten dismissals behind the stumps which include seven catches and three stumpings.

Rating: 6.5/10

#4 Dinesh Karthik (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Dinesh Karthik, the man in command for KKR, has been the most under-rated wicket-keeper batsman in the IPL. Apart from his exceptional captaincy, Karthik has contributed with the bat as well.

Batting

From eight matches, Karthik has scored 235 runs at an average of 39.16, and a strike-rate of 138.23. Despite batting in the lower middle-order, his numbers are staggering. Thus far, Karthik has wonderfully acclimatized to different situations. More importantly, Karthik has been flexible in the batting order. So far, Karthik has performed admirably well for KKR and will continue to do so.

Wicket-keeping

Karthik has done a fair bit of smart work behind the stumps. Thus far, in eight matches, Karthik has affected six dismissals for his team which include four catches and two stumpings.

Rating: 7.5/10

#3 KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)

Hailing from Karnataka, KL Rahul has been one of the best openers in the limited overs format. No brainer, he is in the top four of the list. Rahul has done a decent job for KXIP. Hopping to a new franchise seemed to have worked for him.

Batting

From seven matches, Rahul has scored 268 runs at an average 38.28, and a strike-rate of 170.70. Rahul took the world by storm when he hit the fastest fifty in the history of IPL. Rahul gave carnage a new name as he dismantled the Delhi Daredevils bowling attack from the very first ball.

Wicket-keeping

Before the start of the tournament, not many would have thought that he would don the list of best wicket-keeper batsmen in IPL 2018. Apart from his quality batting, Rahul has done a fair bit of wicket-keeping in this IPL. In seven matches, Rahul has affected three catches behind the stumps.

Rating: 8.5/10

#2 MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)

One thing is sure if you talk about the best wicket-keepers then MS Dhoni has to be on the list. Time and again, Dhoni has proved to one of the best wicket-keepers in the world.

Batting

From eight matches, Dhoni has scored 286 runs at an astonishing average of 71.50, and a strike-rate of 139.23 with three fifties to his name. Thus far, MS Dhoni has played quite brilliantly out there in the field. Dhoni has assisted the team at every point of the innings with his firepower knocks. He has made sure that his team remains in the contest till the last breath of the match.

Wicket-keeping

Dhoni is far by far the best wicket-keeper in the world. This time around alike is batting, Dhoni has worked smartly behind the stumps and has made sure that his team doesn't miss on slightest of chances. In eight matches, Dhoni has affected five catches behind the stumps.

Rating: 9/10

#1 Rishabh Pant (Delhi Daredevils)

Rishabh Pant, a promising talent from Delhi, is one of the best wicket-keepers in the IPL. His fire-power batting skills are a treat to watch. So far, Pant has been quite effective for Delhi.

Batting

From nine matches, Pant has scored 375 runs at an average of 41.66, and an astonishing strike-rate of 180.28 with three fifties to his name. This IPL, we have witnessed a more mature Pant who tends to build on his innings and takes the game to the business end of the innings. Pant has been the highest run-scorer for Delhi Daredevils in this season. With almost half of IPL by his side, we could witness many more fireworks from Pant.

Wicket-keeping

Pant has proved to be a good wicket-keeping option for Delhi so far. In nine matches, Pant has affected four dismissals behind the stumps which include three catches and a solitary stumping.

Rating: 9.5/10