‘Exceptional MS Dhoni’ Among Legends Credited With Reshaping Wicketkeeper’s Role

Last Updated:March 15, 2025, 12:21 IST

Legendary MS Dhoni is widely considered one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in cricket history.

MS Dhoni also led India to two world titles. (AFP Photo)

MS Dhoni arrived as a wicketkeeper-batter with ability to play big shots regularly. Dhoni’s career witnessed a meteoric rise and nearly three years after international debut, he was made India captain which immediately saw the team winning the inaugural ICC World T20. From a top-order batter who used to shred the bowlers apart for fun, he settled down in the middle order and became, arguably, the greatest finisher the game has seen. Two more ICC titles followed as India won the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

And not to forget his surreal ability behind the stumps that had the batters constantly on guard. One wrong move and the bails would come off in the blink of an eye sending the batter on his way back to the dressing room.

No wonder he finished with 634 catches and 195 stumpings besides scoring over 17,000 runs across formats.

He left a lasting impact on the game and alongside some of the legendary wicketkeepers including Adam Gilchrist and Brendon McCullum, redefined the role of a stumper.

Former West Indies cricketer Denesh Ramdin considers Dhoni as “exceptional” player who reshaped the role of a modern wicketkeeper.

“Back in the day, wicketkeepers were primarily just ‘keepers, but now cricket has evolved,” Ramdin was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. “The role of the keeper-batsman has expanded, starting with players like Adam Gilchrist, who opened the batting and excelled. Others like Quinton de Kock, Brendon McCullum, and of course, the exceptional Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have been fantastic in shaping the modern wicketkeeper’s role.”

Among the current lot, Ramdin, who played 71 Tests, 139 ODIs and 74 T20Is, picks out India’s Rishabh Pant and Australia’s Jogh Inglis as top wicketkeeper-batters.

“Obviously, Rishabh Pant is one—he’s unique in the way he bats and scores runs. There’s a young guy from Australia, Josh Inglis—he did well in the Champions Trophy. There are many young keepers coming through,” Ramdin, himself a wicketkeeper, said.