Test cricket is the ultimate test of patience, skill, and mental strength. Wicketkeepers, in particular, have one of the toughest jobs — standing behind the stumps for long hours and then walking out to bat under pressure. Over the years, India has been blessed with several world-class wicketkeeper-batters who have contributed heavily with the bat, especially in the longest format of the game.
In this article by crichourly, we take a look at the Indian wicketkeepers who have scored the most centuries in Test cricket. From the fearless Rishabh Pant to the legendary MS Dhoni, here are the top performers.
At the top of the list is the dynamic left-handed batter Rishabh Pant. With 8 Test centuries, Pant has already become India’s most successful wicketkeeper in terms of centuries. He made his Test debut in 2018 and quickly gained a reputation for his fearless stroke play.
Pant has scored centuries in challenging conditions, including tough tours of Australia, England, and South Africa. His ability to take on the best bowlers in the world and change the game in a session makes him one of the most exciting players of this generation.
Despite suffering a major injury in late 2022, Pant made a remarkable comeback and continues to shine in red-ball cricket. His performances are rewriting the expectations from modern wicketkeepers.
Second on the list is none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s most successful captain in all formats. Dhoni scored 6 centuries in his Test career between 2005 and 2014.
Known for his cool mind and unorthodox batting style, Dhoni played several crucial knocks for India in pressure situations. One of his most memorable centuries came against Australia in Chennai (224 runs), where he dominated a strong bowling lineup.
Though more famous for his ODI and T20 heroics, Dhoni’s contributions in Test cricket were equally important. His leadership and steady hands behind the stumps made him a complete wicketkeeper-batter.
Wriddhiman Saha is known more for his world-class keeping than his batting, but he still managed to score 3 Test centuries for India. He played an important role during India’s transition phase post-Dhoni.
Saha’s calm and technical approach made him a reliable lower-order batter. While injuries limited his appearances, he made the most of the opportunities he got.
Farokh Engineer was one of India’s earliest flamboyant wicketkeepers. Playing in the 1960s and 70s, he scored 2 Test centuries, which was a big achievement during that era.
Engineer was an aggressive batter and an equally sharp gloveman. His performances were especially notable against tough teams like England and the West Indies.
Rounding off the list is Syed Kirmani, a crucial part of India’s Test setup in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He scored 2 Test hundreds, and like Saha, was known more for his keeping than his batting.
Kirmani’s consistency behind the stumps and his ability to stick around with the bat gave India much-needed depth in the lower order.
Wicketkeeping in Test cricket is not easy, and scoring centuries while doing it is even harder. From the explosive Rishabh Pant to the composed MS Dhoni, these players have shown that wicketkeepers can be match-winners with the bat too.
The record of most centuries by a wicketkeeper for India is currently held by Pant, and with time on his side, he could extend that lead even further.
For more records, analysis, and updates from Indian cricket, stay tuned to Crichourly – your go-to destination for everything cricket.
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