Top 6 Indian wicket-keepers with most centuries in test cricket

MS Dhoni is the only Indian wicket-keeper to hit a double hundred in test cricket.

The role of a wicket-keeper is underrated in cricket. Especially in test cricket, quality wicket-keepers who are equally good with the bat in hand have been scarce.

Earlier, keepers used to be selected on their primary skill with the gloves, and whatever they could contribute with the bat was thought to be a bonus. Australia’s Adam Gilchrist brought a shift in the team selections around the world as now a wicket-keeper’s batting ability is also crucial in his selection in the XI.

India have been blessed to have some fantastic wicket-keepers who have done well with the bat as well. This blog is also dedicated to Indian wicket-keepers who have scored the most centuries in test cricket. Only two Indian keepers have scored more than five test centuries until now, which we will check here.

List of the top 6 Indian wicket-keepers with the most centuries in test cricket:

6. Budhi Kunderan – 2

Not many would know of Budhi Kunderan, who played test cricket for India between 1960 and 1967. He was a versatile cricketer who bowled, batted, and also kept wicket. He holds the record for most runs in a series by an Indian wicket-keeper.

Budhi played 18 tests and scored 981 runs at an average of 32.70, with two centuries and 3 half-centuries. He was the first Indian keeper with multiple test hundreds.

5. Syed Kirmani – 2

Syed Kirmani played a key role in India lifting the 1983 ODI World Cup. He was one of the key performers for India during his 12-year stint with the national side.

Batting lower down the order, he played many crucial innings to bail India out of trouble. Kirmani played 88 tests, scoring 2759 runs at an average of 27.04, with two hundreds and 12 half-centuries.

4. Farokh Engineer – 2

Farokh Engineer is hailed as one of the best wicket-keepers that India have had. A flamboyant and agile wicket-keeper, he was a treat to watch.

He represented India in 46 tests between 1961 and 1975. Farokh scored 2611 runs at an average of 31.08, with two hundreds and 16 half-centuries. He also managed a few scores in the 80s and 90s, but failed to convert them into a century.

4. Wriddhiman Saha – 3

Post MS Dhoni’s retirement, India needed someone who could be trusted with both bat and gloves. Wriddhiman Saha was given that duty and he did exceedingly well, especially as a keeper. He played 40 tests in his career between 2010 and 2021 and scored 1353 runs at an average of 29.41.

Saha notched up three centuries and six half-centuries with a best of 117. He scored centuries against the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Australia.

2. MS Dhoni – 6

MS Dhoni was one of India’s finest keepers and captains. While Dhoni’s legacy is majorly based on his achievements in white-ball cricket, the Ranchi-born also flourished in test cricket, in particular in Asian conditions.

He is the only Indian wicket-keeper with a test double hundred, which he hit against Australia in Chennai. Dhoni played 90 tests between 2005 and 2014 and scored 4876 runs at an average of 38.09, with six centuries and 33 half-centuries, with a best of 224.

1. Rishabh Pant – 6

Rishabh Pant is one of the best wicket-keeper batters in modern-day cricket. He has done superbly both at home and away; in fact, four of his six test centuries have come outside Asia.

Since making his test debut in 2018, Pant has registered hundreds against Australia, England, South Africa, and Bangladesh. He is the only Asian wicket-keeper in test history to crack a century in Australia, England, and South Africa.

He has also been dismissed six times in the 90s.

(All stats updated till 21st September, 2024)

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