IPL 2022: Top 3 popular wicket keepers

However, changing the game from behind the wickets is an art, and only a handful of wicket keepers can do it. There are numerous newly emerging wicket keepers in the fifteenth edition of the Indian Premier League; however, some keepers' contribution to their franchises has been valuable throughout the years. This immense contribution has gained massive popularity in the league and the cricket sphere. Let us look at three top wicket keepers playing in IPL 2022 who are highly popular due to their reputation and performance.

MS DHONI

Talking about the most popular wicket-keeper in the IPL and perhaps international cricket, it can be Mahendra Singh Dhoni. A name which rules the league with his legacy throughout the years. When it comes to popularity, there is hardly any match for Dhoni. Whether it be his unbelievable finish or lightning speed behind the stumps, he has achieved mastery in his work. Dhoni behind the stumps is equally terrifying as Dhoni on the crease for the opponents. His quick hands behind the wicket and a genius cricketing brain make the former Indian captain one of the most successful wicket keepers.

Dhoni was the first captain of Chennai Super Kings and is still carrying the team on his shoulders. He has clinched 166 dismissals, the highest by any wicket-keeper in the league. Out of these 166, 127 are caught behind, whereas 39 are via stumpings. He has taken five dismissals as caught behind and 0 stumpings of the ten matches. He is one of the few cricketers who can change the game from behind the wickets, which has been proven numerous times. The reputation and fame Dhoni has achieved in the league are undoubtedly unmatchable!

RISHABH PANT

Delhi Capital's skipper Rishabh Pant is famed for his unique batting style and presence behind the wicket. Pant has seen a lot of ups and downs in his career, which moulded him into a great wicket-keeper batsman not only for his IPL franchise but also for the international side. Rishabh Pant's furious power hitting has no match, and his unique, unorthodox shots all over the ground are one of the primary reasons for his fame in the cricket sphere. Pant has developed his game year by year, which is portrayed in his performance throughout the years. 

Rishabh Pant made his IPL debut in 2016 for Delhi Daredevils (currently Delhi Capitals). Starting as a young aspiring wicket-keeper batsman, Pant might have never thought of leading the franchise. Pant has achieved massive fame in the cricket world with his dedication to the game and is now a key factor for his franchise. With excellent batting abilities, Pant's wicket-keeping skills are also exceptional. In his 83 innings in the league till now, Pant has clinched 74 dismissals, out of which 57 are catches and 17 stumpings. This season, he has taken seven dismissals in 9 matches, four as catches and 3 in the form of stumping. He is constantly active verbally behind the stumps, which is quite interesting.

DINESH KARTHIK

This season, the Royal Challenger Banglore middle order's strong backbone, Dinesh Karthik, is in great form. He has been remarkable not only with his bat but also with his keeping. Karthik is a perfect blend of calmness and fury, clearly displayed in his batting and keeping. In the current season, Dinesh Karthik has scored 244 runs with an average of 61.0 and an appreciable strike rate of 189.5, whereas he has also clinched six catches now. 

Karthik made his IPL debut in the inaugural season in 2007. So far, he has played 224 IPL matches, representing the likes of Mumbai Indians (MI), PBKS, RCB (in 2015), KKR, Gujarat Lions (GL) and the Delhi Daredevils (DD), who are now known as Delhi Capitals (DC). In his IPL career, he has stumped 32 players and grabbed 121 catches behind, that is, 153 dismissals. After the CSK skipper MS Dhoni (166), the RCB star is only the second wicket-keeper to grab more than 150 dismissals in IPL history.