The role of a wicketkeeper in ODIs is topsy-turvy. While some captains love having a specialist wicketkeeper, the others prefer a wicketkeeper-batsman. In an ideal scenario, a wicketkeeper-batsman is what the cricketing world prefers in today’s day and age.
You can find here a complete take on the ODI wicketkeeping records here!
You can’t afford to play a specialist keeper who considers scoring runs a bonus. The current generation not only demands batting depth but also demands explosive and dynamic batters in a line-up irrespective of the pitch conditions and team balance. Thus, the primary job of a keeper in ODIs includes both dynamically donning the gloves and bat.
Over the years, we have seen several keepers score a truckload of runs and win matches all by themselves. Unlike previous eras, we have several keepers who bat at the top order as well. Today we shall be looking at the top 5 highest individual scores by a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs.
5) Luke Ronchi – 170* vs Sri Lanka
Luke Ronchi was one of the most underrated Kiwi players during his time. He was one of the few players who could be flexible enough to bat at 7 and open the innings whenever deemed necessary and ideal. Despite having a modest batting average of 23 in ODIs, he was still impactful.
His unbeaten 170 against Sri Lanka in 2015 is not only his best knock but is also fifth on the list of the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs. Dunedin witnessed an absolute annihilation of Sri Lanka as Ronchi took just the 99 balls to score this 170. It came at a strike rate of 171.77 and consisted of 14 boundaries and 9 sixes, respectively.
4) Adam Gilchrist – 172 vs 2004
Unarguably one of the greatest keepers of all time, Adam Gilchrist has a legacy of his own. Whenever someone sees a talented wicketkeeper, they automatically start comparing him to the former Aussie keeper; that’s the kind of name he has made for himself. The Aussie legend is of a rare breed of keepers who could make it to the side as a proper batsman. It would be safe to say that Gilly could merit a place in Australia’s golden era in the 2000s as a pure batsman as well.
He unleashed carnage when he scored 172 against Zimbabwe in 2004. The Aussie hit this 172 in just the 126 deliveries. It came at a strike rate of 136.50 and consisted of 13 boundaries and 3 sixes.
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3) Liton Das – 176 vs Zimbabwe
Liton Das is currently one of the most talented players from Bangladesh. Many cricket pundits have declared him to be the future of Bangladesh cricket. Despite having someone like Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladeshi are lucky to have Das at their disposal. After a career-changing century against India in the Asia Cup finals in 2020, his career seems to have taken off. In 2020, he scored an amazing 176 against Zimbabwe.
He took just 143 balls to get to his 176. It came at a strike rate of 123.07 and included 16 boundaries and 8 sixes, respectively. With age and talent on his side, the Bangladesh wicketkeeper can very well register a few more records to his name if he plays consistently.
2) Quinton De Kock- 178* vs Australia
Quinton De Kock is arguably one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman of today’s generation. Seldom would you find a player like De Kock who could perform both the role of a keeper as well as the role of a batsman to perfection?
His 178 against Australia is second on the list of the highest individual scores by a wicketkeeper in ODIs. It came in 2016 against a rather depleted Aussie bowling attack. Nevertheless, it was a quality knock and deserved all the appreciation. It came in just 113 balls. This knock was scored at a strike rate of 157.52 and consisted of 16 boundaries and 11 sixes.
South Africa went on to win this match and win the series 5-0 and thus, whitewashed Australia.
1) MS Dhoni – 183* vs Sri Lanka
This was the knock that made MS Dhoni what he is today. After making his international debut in 2004, he played arguably one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time in the following year. The fact that it came against India’s arch-rivals Pakistan made this knock even sweeter. The former Indian keeper went all guns blazing against Sri Lanka as he scored a whopping 183 from just 145 balls.
He had made an absolute mockery of a 300-run chase. This knock came at a strike rate of 126.20 and included 15 boundaries and 10 sixes, respectively. Jaipur witnessed something special that day as that knock came against a Lankan bowling unit which was lethal back then. It’s been 16 years, but this remains the highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs.
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