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Top 5 Highest Test Scores by Wicketkeeper-Batsmen: Whenever great wicketkeeper-batsmen in Test cricket are discussed, legends like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Adam Gilchrist, and Kumar Sangakkara immediately come to mind. Fans are often confused about who holds the record for the highest Test innings played by a wicketkeeper.
Some reports cite Andy Flower (232*) at the top of the list; however, the reality is that the world record for the highest innings by a designated (official) wicketkeeper in Test history belongs to Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.
Kumar Sangakkara 270 vs Zimbabwe: The Historic Record
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Sri Lankan batting legend Kumar Sangakkara's highest individual score in Test cricket overall is 319 runs (against Bangladesh, 2014). However, he was playing merely as a specialist batsman in that match.
But when it comes to the highest innings played as a specialist wicketkeeper, Sangakkara's knock of 270 runs tops the record books:
- Bulawayo Test 2004: Sangakkara was Sri Lanka's primary wicketkeeper in this match against Zimbabwe. He kept wicket and scored a magnificent 270 runs while batting.
- Lahore Test 2002: Additionally, Sangakkara scored 230 runs as a wicketkeeper against Pakistan in 2002, which ranks third on this list.
Top 5 Highest Scores by Wicketkeepers in Test History
| Rank | Player | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 270 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 2004 |
| 2 | Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) | 232* | India | Nagpur | 2000 |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 230 | Pakistan | Lahore | 2002 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni (India) | 224 | Australia | Chennai | 2013 |
| 5 | Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) | 219* | Zimbabwe | Dhaka | 2018 |
Also Read: Top 5 Shortest Test Matches in Cricket History by Overs
Andy Flower's Historic 232* vs India in Nagpur (2000)
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When considering the wicketkeeper who faced the most balls and spent the longest time at the crease during a single innings, former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower tops the list.
- Match Details: In the year 2000, during the Nagpur Test against India, Andy Flower scored an unbeaten 232 runs, facing 444 balls.
- Unmatched Patience: He spent 544 minutes (approximately 9 hours) at the crease during this marathon innings.
- Boundary Count: Flower's innings featured 30 magnificent fours and 2 sixes, with a strike rate of 52.25.
Played while single-handedly holding the fort for a team like Zimbabwe against the Indian spin attack, this innings is considered one of the most memorable feats in Test cricket history.
MS Dhoni's Blistering 224 vs Australia in Chennai (2013)
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The record for the highest Test score by a wicketkeeper-captain in the history of Indian cricket belongs to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
- Opponent & Venue: Dhoni achieved this historic feat against Australia at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai) in 2013.
- Explosive Knock: He smashed 224 runs off just 265 balls, including 24 fours and 6 massive sixes.
- Aggressive Strike Rate: Played at an impressive strike rate of 84.52, this innings completely turned the tide of the match in India's favor. Dhoni holds the fourth spot on this list.
Mushfiqur Rahim Masterclass: 219* vs Zimbabwe in Dhaka (2018)
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Bangladesh's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has also firmly cemented his place in this elite list.
- Benchmark Performance: In 2018, Rahim played a marathon unbeaten innings of 219 runs against Zimbabwe in Dhaka (Mirpur).
- Grit at the Crease: He faced 421 balls and batted for 589 minutes. His innings included 18 fours and 1 six.
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