Top 5 Indian wicket-keepers with most 50+ scores in test cricket

MS Dhoni is India’s highest run-scorer among wicket-keepers in test cricket.

The role of the wicket-keeper has evolved in modern-day cricket. Primarily dominated by the best wicket-keepers in the country, this role now demands significant batting skills as well.

Wicket-keepers generally bat in the lower middle order in test cricket. The strategic thinking behind the modern approach is that runs from this position often prove critical, particularly when batting with the tail to push forward a team’s total.

India’s cricketing history is full of wicket-keepers who have impressed with the bat. Batting in the middle order on Indian soil requires a solid technique against spin.

In this article, we will look at the top five Indian wicket-keepers who have risen to these demands to post the most 50+ scores in test cricket.

Top five Indian wicket-keepers with most 50+ scores in test cricket:

5. Wriddhiman Saha – 9 times

Wriddhiman Saha is regarded for his excellent glove work behind the stumps. Though his primary role was of a specialist wicket-keeper, Saha contributed with crucial runs in the lower middle order. Saha’s career saw him cross the 50-run mark 9 times.

Saha scored 1,353 runs in 40 tests with a batting average of 29. Saha also scored three centuries, including a career-defining 117 vs Australia at Ranchi.

4. Syed Kirmani – 14 times

Syed Kirmani was a mainstay in the Indian cricket team during the 1970s and 1980s. Kirmani made his debut in 1976 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a reliable wicket-keeper batsman for the Asian giants.

Kirmani went past the 50-run mark 14 times in his career, registering two hundreds on his way. He finished his career in 1986, playing his last test against Australia at Brisbane. Kirmani scored 2759 runs in his test career at a batting average of 27.04.

3. Farokh Engineer – 18 times

Farokh Engineer, one of India’s finest wicket-keeper batsmen of the early era, was known for his aggressive batting style. Engineer scored 2,611 runs in his test career, with 18 fifty-plus scores.

His batting average of 31 along with two test hundreds is a testament to his batting ability. Engineer’s contributions laid the foundation for upcoming Indian wicket-keeper batsmen. He finished his career in 1975, playing his last test against West Indies at Wankhede, Mumbai.

2. Rishabh Pant – 19 times

Current Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant is one of the most entertaining cricketers around the world. Pant has crossed the half-century mark 19 times in his test career.

What sets Pant apart is his impressive conversion rate — out of his 19 scores of 50 or more, six have been converted into centuries.

Pant is known for his explosive batting approach. He has amassed 2569 runs in 37 test matches at an excellent batting average of 43.54. Pant remains one of the hottest prospects in test cricket.

1. MS Dhoni – 39 times

Legendary wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni leads the list with an impressive 39 scores of fifty or more. Dhoni’s tally of 39 fifty-plus innings includes six hundreds.

Having made his test debut in 2005 vs Sri Lanka, Dhoni’s career is marked by numerous match-saving innings in the lower order. Dhoni scored 4876 test runs at a batting average of 38. His ability to build partnerships with tail-enders made him a valuable part of the Indian batting order.

(All stats updated till 2nd November, 2024)

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