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 10 highest individual scores by a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs.
Highest Score by a WicketKeeper in ODI
| WK-BATTER | VS | SCORE | BALLS | 4s | 6s | STRIKE RATE | VENUE | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni (IND) | Sri Lanka | 183* | 145 | 15 | 10 | 126.2 | Jaipur | 2005 |
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | Australia | 178 | 113 | 16 | 11 | 157.52 | Centurion | 2016 |
| Litton Das (BAN) | Zimbabwe | 176 | 143 | 16 | 8 | 123.07 | Sylhet | 2020 |
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | Bangladesh | 174 | 140 | 15 | 7 | 124.28 | Wankhede | 2023 |
| Jaskaran Malhotra (USA) | P.N.G. | 173* | 124 | 4 | 16 | 139.51 | Al Amerat | 2021 |
| Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | Zimbabwe | 172 | 126 | 13 | 3 | 136.5 | Hobart | 2004 |
| Luke Ronchi (NZ) | Sri Lanka | 170* | 99 | 14 | 9 | 171.71 | Dunedin | 2015 |
| Shai Hope (WI) | Ireland | 170 | 152 | 22 | 2 | 111.84 | Dublin | 2019 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | South Africa | 169 | 137 | 18 | 6 | 123.35 | Colombo (RPS) | 2013 |
| Dinesh Ramdin (WI) | Bangladesh | 169 | 121 | 8 | 11 | 139.66 | Basseterre | 2014 |
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | Bangladesh | 168* | 145 | 21 | 2 | 115.86 | Kimberley | 2017 |
Also Read: Most Runs by WicketKeepers across All Formats
Key Stats
The fastest 150 score in an ODI match by a wicketkeeper belongs to Jos Buttler for his annihilation against the Dutch side in 2022 in Amstelveen. The 65-balls Buttler took to complete the 150 mark in that game is also the second-quickest overall. Check who topped him here.
Luke Ronchi’s unbeaten 170 in Dunedin in 2015 was an absolute cracker of an innings against Sri Lanka, as Ronchi took just 99 balls to score this 170. It came at a strike rate of 171.77 and consisted of 14 boundaries and 9 sixes, respectively.
The first-ever instance of a wicketkeeper ing a 150+ score in an ODI belongs to Adam Gilchrist, unarguably one of the most excellent keepers of all time. In the 1999 Carlton & United Series match against Sri Lanka, he helped his side a win with the contribution of 154 runs and 2 catches. He was also adjudged the man of the match in that game. He bettered his best ODI score when he scored 172 against Zimbabwe in 2004 (he still ranks in the top 5 of this list).
The table-topping 183* knock made MS Dhoni what he is today. After completing his international debut in 2004, he played arguably one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time in the following year. The former Indian keeper went all guns blazing against Sri Lanka, scoring a whopping 183 from just 145 balls, and included 15 boundaries and 10 sixes. He had made an absolute mockery of a 300-run chase. 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.
