Batting and bowling tend to take center stage whenever cricket is spoken. However, stumpings are a skill that should be recognized for what it is: subtle but significant.
Batsmen are caught unawares as the wicketkeeper, gloves in hand, waits for the perfect moment to remove the bails. Both the wicketkeeper’s strategy and the cricketing environment are dynamic and unpredictable.
The keepers of wickets adjust their positions in response to the increasing flair and bravado shown by the batsmen. But history shows that they are prepared to handle everything that comes their way.
Time and accuracy are the keys to this dance. Additionally, we are going to investigate the various formats’ records for the most stumpings in a career today.
Cricket’s A-Listers: the Top 5 All-Time Most Stumpings in Career in One-Day Internationals
One Day Internationals (ODIs) are where speed meets strategy. Wicketkeepers, in this electrifying format, are always on high alert.
The title for the most stumpings in career in ODIs isn’t just a record; it’s a tribute to the nimbleness and insight of these guardians of the wicket.
Each stumping narrates a tale of a batsman’s oversight and a keeper’s lightning-fast response.
MS Dhoni (Asia/IND)
Spanning from 2004 to 2019, MS Dhoni’s illustrious career saw him play 350 matches. With a staggering 123 stumpings from 345 innings, he boasts a dismissal rate of 1.286 per inning.
His record of 6 dismissals in a single inning, with 5 catches and 1 stumping, showcases his versatility as a wicketkeeper.
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)
A stalwart for Sri Lanka, Sangakkara’s career from 2000 to 2015 witnessed him achieving 99 stumpings in 353 innings.
Playing 404 matches in total, his dismissal rate stands at an impressive 1.365, with a maximum of 5 dismissals in an inning, including 4 catches.
RS Kaluwitharana (SL)
Active between 1990 and 2004, Kaluwitharana made his mark with 75 stumpings in 185 innings. Over 189 matches, he maintained a dismissal rate of 1.113, with his best performance being 5 dismissals in an inning, dominated by catches.
Moin Khan (PAK)
Another gem from the 1990-2004 era, Moin Khan represented Pakistan in 219 matches. With 73 stumpings from 209 innings, he achieved a dismissal rate of 1.373. His best in an inning stands at 5, all of which were catches.
Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN)
The most recent among the legends, Rahim’s career from 2006 to 2023 saw him play 255 matches for Bangladesh.
Achieving 55 stumpings in 239 innings, he holds a dismissal rate of 1.15. His best performance mirrors Moin Khan’s, with 5 catches in a single inning.
The Best of Cricket: Top 5 Players with Most Stumpings in Career for T20I
The T20i battlefield is all about rapid action. As batsmen venture out for those majestic hits, wicketkeepers see a window of opportunity.
Owning the most stumpings in career in T20i isn’t just about numbers; it’s a reflection of a player’s knack to decode the game and respond in a heartbeat.
MS Dhoni (IND)
Spanning from 2006 to 2019, the iconic MS Dhoni played 98 T20I matches, making 91 dismissals. With 57 catches and an impressive 34 stumpings, he boasts a maximum of 5 dismissals in a single innings.
His average dismissals per innings stand at 0.938, showcasing his consistent performance behind the wickets.
Kamran Akmal (PAK)
Kamran Akmal, representing Pakistan from 2006 to 2017, participated in 58 T20I matches. He made a total of 60 dismissals, with 28 catches and a commendable 32 stumpings.
His record of 4 stumpings in a single innings and an average of 1.132 dismissals per innings highlight his sharp reflexes and agility.
Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN)
Mushfiqur Rahim, playing for Bangladesh from 2006 to 2022, has been part of 102 T20I matches. With 62 dismissals, comprising 42 catches and 30 stumpings, Rahim has showcased his prowess consistently.
His best performance in an innings includes 3 dismissals, and he averages 0.756 dismissals per innings.
Mohammad Shahzad (AFG)
Representing Afghanistan between 2010 and 2021, Mohammad Shahzad played 70 T20I matches. He achieved 58 dismissals, with 30 catches and 28 stumpings.
His record of 5 dismissals in a single innings and an average of 0.84 dismissals per innings underline his significant contribution to the team.
IA Karim (KENYA)
IA Karim, playing for Kenya from 2013 to 2022, participated in 44 T20I matches. With a total of 60 dismissals, including 42 catches and 20 stumpings, Karim has made a mark in the records.
His standout performance of 5 dismissals in one innings and a remarkable average of 1.621 dismissals per innings make him a force to reckon with.
Test: Top 5 Players with Most Stumpings in Career for Test Matches
Test cricket is the game’s classic saga. It’s not a sprint but a long, strategic journey. Stumpings here might be rarer than in shorter formats, but clinching the most stumpings in career in Tests is akin to wearing a crown.
It’s a testament to a wicketkeeper’s tenacity and unwavering focus over days.
WAS Oldfield (AUS)
Playing between 1920 and 1937, Oldfield graced the field in 54 matches, making 130 dismissals. With a staggering 52 stumpings from 101 innings, he set a benchmark with a dismissal rate of 1.287 per innings.
His best performance in an inning saw him make 5 dismissals, comprising 1 catch and 4 stumpings.
TG Evans (ENG)
Representing England between 1946 and 1959, Evans participated in 91 matches. With 219 dismissals from 175 innings, he made a significant impact with 46 stumpings.
His consistency is evident with a dismissal rate of 1.251 per innings, and his best in an inning stands at 4 catches.
SMH Kirmani (IND)
Kirmani, donning the Indian colors from 1976 to 1986, played 88 matches. Achieving 198 dismissals in 151 innings, he secured 38 stumpings.
His best performance in an inning was a mix of 5 catches and 1 stumping, leading to a dismissal rate of 1.311.
MS Dhoni (IND)
A modern-day legend, Dhoni represented India between 2005 and 2014 in 90 matches. With a whopping 294 dismissals from 166 innings, he made 38 stumpings.
His dismissal rate of 1.771 per innings is commendable, with his best in an inning being 6 catches.
AC Gilchrist (AUS)
Playing for Australia from 1999 to 2008, Gilchrist participated in 96 matches. He made a jaw-dropping 416 dismissals in 191 innings, of which 37 were stumpings. With a dismissal rate of 2.178, his best in an inning comprised 5 catches.
Conclusion for Most Stumpings in Career
In contrast to towering sixes, which are more likely to generate gasps, stumpings emanate a sense of mystique that is all their own.
In addition to requiring physical strength, they serve as a reminder that the game of cricket requires elegance and a sharp intellect in addition to physical strength.
When you become involved in the next game, even if you are having a great time, you should be on the watch for such unexpected stumpings.
They are the unsung maestros of the game and the sentinels of the field who maintain the peace. They help keep the game in order.