Only behind Sangakkara; Quinton de Kock reigns wicketkeepers elite ODI record; List inside

Soumyajit Dutta

Kumar Sangakkara has the most centuries as a wicketkeeper in ODIs [Source: @kamil_manan/X.com]Kumar Sangakkara has the most centuries as a wicketkeeper in ODIs [Source: @kamil_manan/X.com]

Wicket keepers have always been one of the major anchors and sometimes, even pivotal top-order batters for their team, swinging massive milestones. Wicketkeepers like Kumar Sangakkara and Adam Gilchrist are legendary names who have etched their name in history with contributions from both behind the stumps and with the bat.

Quinton de Kock made an unprecedented record in the November 6 ODI match against Pakistan with a blistering knock of 123 runs. This placed him in an elite list of wicket-keepers who boast the most number of centuries in ODIs. Let's take a look at all the players who contribute to this massive list.

5) Jos Buttler - 11 centuries

Jos Buttler, the 35-year-old veteran English wicketkeeper, has been a T20 global superstar for ages. However, his ODI exploits are also worth noting. Buttler, since his debut in 2013, has played 189 matches, scoring 5,289 runs at an average of 39.76. 

Buttler's tally of centuries as a wicketkeeper in ODIs stands at 11, and he has also registered 28 fifties in the format. Still an integral part of the England setup, Buttler continues to contribute with the bat, though not as much behind the stumps.

4) Adam Gilchrist - 16 centuries

Adam 'just hit the ball' Gilchrist has been the heart of Australian cricket in the 2000s. The flamboyant wicketkeeper batter had 16 centuries to his name in ODI cricket while keeping behind the stumps, and during his tenure, he played 282 matches, scoring 9410 runs at an average of 35.64.

As a wicketkeeper, he also boasts 53 half-centuries to his name, as the current cricket pundit hung up his boots back in 2008. His career was an aggressive and explosive one, but 'Gilly' somehow lacked the finesse and athleticism as a keeper. But that didn't stop him from playing brute cricket, which cemented his legacy as one of Australia's finest batters.

3) Shai Hope - 18 centuries

Shai Hope has risen through the wicketkeeper batter ranks in terms of having the most centuries quickly. In his 10 years of service for the West Indies, Shai Hope has bagged 18 centuries to his name as a wicketkeeper in ODIs. He has played 143 matches as a wicketkeeper and scored 5,916 runs at an average of 50.13. 

Hope also has 30 half-centuries to his name and continues to play his explosive game as he currently leads the West Indies in ODIs. Hope has been leading the ODI side since February 2023 and recently took over the T20I captaincy as well. It was Hope’s consistency across formats that helped him climb this elite list so quickly with his gargantuan run-scoring prowess with the bat.

2) Quinton de Kock - 22 centuries

Quinton de Kock ranks second in terms of having the most centuries as a wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. He reached this feat with his 22 centuries, the 22nd coming against Pakistan in the second ODI on November 6. While chasing Pakistan's 217, Quinton de Kock opened with Lhuan-dre Pretorius to score 123 runs off 119 balls, laced with eight boundaries and seven sixes. 

De Kock has played 156 matches in the wicketkeeper role and scored 6,953 runs while also having 31 half-centuries to his name. De Kock's consistency is undeniable, as he boasts an average of 46.97 in this role and continues to trouble opponents with his semi-aggressive batting approach.

1) Kumar Sangakkara - 23 centuries

Kumar Sangakkara, the legendary Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter, tops the list with 23 centuries to his name. Matale-born, though less relentless in ODI cricket, he played 360 matches to accumulate 13,341 runs in his ODI career while maintaining an average of 43.74 and having 91 half-centuries to his name. 

Sangakkara has been at the helm of this record for quite some time now, and the graceful stroke player has matured steadily since his debut in the game back in 2000. For the unaware, Sangakkara played 404 ODI matches, where he boasts a massive 14,234 runs at an average of 41.98, making him one of the greatest of the game.