Top 10 best wicket-keepers in the world (Updated as of 2025)

In cricket, wicket-keepers often go unnoticed until they pull off something extraordinary. They are the players who must stay focused for every single ball, ready to dive, stretch, or react in a fraction of a second. A great wicket-keeper doesn’t just stop runs or grab catches, he influences the game by lifting bowlers’ confidence and adding a sense of security to the field. Over time, the role has evolved, demanding not only sharp reflexes but also reliable contributions with the bat.

For this list of the top 10 wicket-keepers in the world as of 2025, two key factors were considered: glove work and reflexes, which highlight their skills behind the stumps, and batting impact, which measures how much they contribute as run-scorers. Together, these parameters reflect the balance a modern wicket-keeper needs. Let’s look at the players who excel in both areas and have stamped their authority on the game.

Top 10 best wicket-keepers in the world 

1. Jos Buttler (England)

Jos Buttler is the definition of a modern wicket-keeper. Behind the stumps, his agility has been on full display in both international cricket and global T20 leagues. He is known for his lightning-fast stumpings and his ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations, making him the perfect ally for England’s bowlers. Even in difficult English conditions, Buttler has shown remarkable consistency.

With the bat, Buttler is one of the most destructive hitters in the world. He can switch between roles effortlessly, sometimes opening to set the tone in T20Is and other times finishing innings with late fireworks. His fearless approach has often turned games single-handedly, and that balance of keeping skills and batting prowess makes him a standout.

2. Alex Carey (Australia)

Alex Carey may not always grab headlines, but his value to Australia is immense. His glove work is clean and understated, rarely drawing attention because he hardly makes mistakes. Whether keeping to express pacers or to spinners in subcontinent conditions, Carey brings reliability and composure. Bowlers know that chances won’t go begging when he’s behind the stumps.

As a batter, Carey is steady and dependable. He has built a reputation for holding innings together, particularly in Tests and ODIs, where his calmness under pressure has proved vital. Carey’s strength lies in his ability to adapt, playing anchor when required but also accelerating when the situation demands.

3. Rishabh Pant (India)

Rishabh Pant’s keeping has matured greatly over the years. Initially seen as raw, he has worked hard to refine his reflexes and anticipation. Standing up to India’s spinners, Pant has developed quick hands that have produced crucial stumpings. His energy behind the stumps also keeps the team lively, an underrated aspect of modern keeping.

With the bat, Pant is box-office. His fearless counterattacking has rescued India in Tests and given them the upper hand in limited-overs cricket. Few wicket-keepers worldwide have his ability to dominate bowlers so decisively, and his big-match temperament has already produced some unforgettable knocks.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

Rizwan is among the most disciplined wicket-keepers in the game today. His movements are precise, and his concentration rarely wavers, even in long formats. Over the years, he has taken sharp catches and executed stumpings that underline his glove work as one of Pakistan’s finest in recent memory.

Equally important is his batting. Rizwan has been Pakistan’s rock in T20Is, anchoring innings with consistency and intent. In Tests too, he has played crucial knocks under pressure. His ability to grind out runs while keeping his composure makes him invaluable in any format.

5. Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Quinton de Kock’s wicket-keeping has always been effortless. His natural reflexes and smooth glove work stood out during his international career, and he continues to shine in leagues worldwide. Few keepers make the job look as easy as de Kock does.

With the bat, he remains a force. Even after retiring from international cricket, his aggressive approach at the top of the order has kept him in demand across global T20 leagues. His ability to dominate bowlers in powerplays gives his team early momentum, a quality not many wicket-keepers possess.

6. Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa)

Klaasen’s keeping may not always be flashy, but he is safe and efficient behind the stumps. His reflexes when standing back to fast bowlers are impressive, and he rarely misses straightforward chances. He has quickly built a reputation as a reliable man behind the gloves.

His batting, however, is where Klaasen truly stands out. Known for his ability to clear boundaries with ease, he has become one of South Africa’s most dangerous T20 players. When he gets going, he can turn matches within a few overs, making him a complete modern wicket-keeper.

7. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)

Gurbaz is one of the brightest young wicket-keepers in the game. His energy behind the stumps and quick reactions have helped Afghanistan tighten their fielding standards. He continues to grow as a keeper, adjusting well to the demands of international cricket.

As a batter, Gurbaz is fearless. He announced himself with a century on ODI debut and has carried that aggressive mindset into every format. His ability to take on bowlers early has given Afghanistan strong starts, making him a key figure in their rise on the global stage.

8. Ryan Rickelton (South Africa)

Rickelton is emerging as one of South Africa’s most promising wicket-keepers. His glove work has steadily improved, and he has shown he can handle both seam and spin with competence. For a young player, his composure behind the stumps is impressive.

With the bat, Rickelton has already started to make waves. His strong performances in T20 leagues and for South Africa have shown that he has the temperament for big occasions. As de Kock’s successor, he has a big role to play, and early signs suggest he is ready for it.

9. Tim Seifert (New Zealand)

Seifert is an athletic keeper who brings sharp reflexes and quick decision-making to New Zealand’s side. He has proven particularly useful in the shorter formats, where a single stumping or diving catch can change the game’s momentum.

His batting adds further value. Seifert has shown the ability to score quickly in T20Is, often playing crucial cameos. His strike rate and adaptability make him a dependable option in pressure situations, which has cemented his place in the Kiwi setup.

10. Josh Inglis (Australia)

Josh Inglis is the latest Australian keeper to make his mark. His glove work is tidy, and he has already pulled off some brilliant catches in Tests and ODIs. His quick learning curve shows that he has the potential to become a long-term option for Australia.

With the bat, Inglis has impressed early on, including scoring a century on Test debut. His stroke play is clean, and he has the versatility to bat in different positions. That balance of keeping ability and batting promise makes him one of the names to watch closely.