Most runs in an ODI innings by a wicket-keeper: MS Dhoni’s fireworks propels him to top of list

A lot of players can create magic with their bats - beautiful drives, big shots - you name it, they have it. And then there is another set of players who weave magic with their hands, both in front of the stumps with their bats and behind it with gloves.

Unlike other players, the role of a keeper is more challenging as they have to focus on more than one discipline throughout the game. Not only are they expected to be flawless behind the stumps, but wicket-keepers are also expected to perform with their bat.

It’s no mean feat as they have to stay focused more than most throughout the opposition innings before showing their own capability with willow in hand. Here’s a look at the players who scored the most runs in an ODI innings by a wicket-keeper.

MS Dhoni 183* vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka had scored 298/4 in their innings and got off to a great start while defending the total, taking out Sachin Tendulkar in the first over of the innings. MS Dhoni, coming in at No. 3, scored 183* (145) with 15 fours and 10 sixes, taking India to 303/4 and winning the match.

To put his knock into perspective, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara had scored an unbeaten 138 off 147 balls himself, with another veteran, Mahela Jayawardene, scoring 71 off 70 deliveries. Yet it was Dhoni who shone that night at Jaipur in October 2005.

Quinton de Kock 178 vs Australia

South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock made headlines against Australia in September 2016. Asked to bat first, Australia stacked up 294/9 on the scoreboard, powered by David Warner’s 40 off 36 balls, George Bailey’s 74 off 90 balls and John Hastings’ 51 off 56 deliveries.

In the chase, South Africa got off to a blazing start, with both their openers hitting big from the word go. Openers de Kock and Rilee Rossouw stitched together a 145-run stand for the first wicket in just 17 overs, which made the rest of the chase a piece of cake.

De Kock’s knock, which came with 16 fours and 11 maximums, helped South Africa outdo Australia’s score by the 37th over itself.

Liton Das 176 vs Zimbabwe

Litton Das’ special knock against Zimbabwe in March 2020 is one that Bangladesh fans will remember fondly. Playing at Sylhet, the home team’s openers - Litton and Tamim Iqbal - put a 292-run stand together. 

The duo of Liton Das (176 off 143 balls) and Tamim Iqbal (128* off 109 deliveries) pummelled 23 fours and 14 sixes between them, with the former alone responsible for 16 fours and eight sixes. 

The opening pair helped take Bangladesh to 322/3 in a match reduced to 43 overs due to rain. In response, Zimbabwe could only score 218 in 37.3 overs, falling short of the revised target calculated by the Duckworth Lewis method by 123 runs. 

Most runs in an ODI innings by a wicket-keeper

Author: Varsha Badrinath

Featured photo: AFP / DIBYANGSHU SARKAR