Most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India: Pant rising up in the table

India hasn’t seen many great keepers who are also great batsmen until the mighty MS Dhoni came in the side. Before that, there were keepers who were good at keeping but didn’t do anything significant with the bat in hand. Over the last 10 years, teams have changed the thinking, and they want keepers who can change a game with the bat as well. Most of the teams are trying to do that so that they can get that extra batting strength which can come in handy. Let’s have a look at the Indian wicketkeepers who have the most Test runs.

Also Read: Most International Wickets for India (Pacers)

Most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India

1. MS Dhoni | 4876 Runs

Indian former skipper MS Dhoni scored the most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India. He played 90 Test matches in his career and scored 4,876 runs in 144 innings with help of 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries at an average of 38.09. The highest score of MS Dhoni was 224 which was made against Australia in Chennai. He is also the first Indian wicket-keeper to complete 4,000 Test runs.

Under MS Dhoni's captaincy, the Indian team topped the Test cricket rankings for the first time in 2009. Under Dhoni's era, the Indian team topped the Test cricket rankings for the first time in 2009.

2. Syed Kirmani | 2759 Runs

The former Indian wicket-keeper, Syed Kirmani played in 88 Test matches for India and remained India’s premier wicket-keeper in the late 1970s and ’80s before he retired in 1986. He scored 2759 runs and 198 dismissals in Test matches with an unbeaten 102 as his highest.

Kirmani was also the member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team, led by Kapil Dev. He had an exciting World Cup behind the stumps as the prolific wicketkeeper-batsman accounted for 14 dismissals in the tournament.

3. Farokh Engineer | 2611 Runs

India’s batter and wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer was a baz-batter (aggressive batting baseball style) way before the term was invented, who thrilled crowds wherever he played. Farokh played 46 Test matches, scoring 2,611 runs at an average of 31.08, including two centuries and 16 fifties, with a highest score of 121. He also took 66 catches and completed 16 stumpings. 

Engineer is one of the first Indian wicket-keepers who was good at batting. He played some crucial knocks in India’s important Test victories. Engineer had the highest Test rating for an Indian wicket-keeper in his time as he reached 619 points. Many Indian keepers after him couldn’t reach that rating.

4. Rishabh Pant | 2419 Runs

Rishabh Pant is a classic case of his batting skills being preferred over his keeping skills. India has a better keeper in their squad, but they have preferred to go with Pant because he is a better batsman, and he showed that in the India vs Bangladesh first Test. Pant scored a magnificent 109 (128) smashing 13 fours and four sixes in his innings. Following his century, he levelled with legendary India captain MS Dhoni in terms of the most hundreds scored by an Indian wicketkeeper. 

Pant has scored a total of 2419 runs from 34 Test matches in his career so far at an average of 44.79 with six centuries and 11 fifties. Along with his six hundreds, the 26-year-old has also been dismissed six times in the 90s and also has an unbeaten 89* against his name in India's famous victory at the Gabba.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant Sets Field: Reminds glimpses of MS Dhoni

5. Nayan Mongia | 1442 Runs

Nayan Ramlal Mongia is one of the finest wicketkeeper batsmen to have ever played for India. His screams of ‘aiga’ from behind the stumps always encouraged his fellow bowlers. Also, his gritty batting proved to be an asset to the team.

Mongia played 44 Tests between 1994 and 2001, and scored 1,442 runs with the bat at an average of 24.03, which included a maiden ton as Test opener against an Australian attack comprising Glenn McGrath and Paul Reiffel. He also has six half centuries to his name.

6. Wriddhiman Saha | 1317 Runs

India wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha played 40 Test matches and scored 1,317 runs at 29.93, the sixth most Test runs as a wicket-keeper for India. He has three centuries and 6 half centuries to his name. Unfortunately, Saha’s career coincided with the last two. Of his 40 Tests, 29 came in the period between Dhoni’s retirement and Pant’s debut. And yet, Saha’s Test career came to an abrupt halt. 

During his career, Saha was arguably the finest wicketkeeper in men’s Test cricket. 

7. Kiran More | 1285 Runs

Kiran More was part of Indian teams between 1986 and 1993. More has played 49 Tests and scored 1,285 runs at an average of 25.70. He has scored seven fifties in his Test career but failed to convert any of them into triple figures and his highest score remained at 73.

A fearless batter in front of the stumps and a brilliant performer behind it, More was the complete package of a wicket-keeper any captain would love to have in their team. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Indian Cricket Board before being replaced by former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar in 2006.