The game of cricket is very beautiful. It has multiple facets. From bowling to batting, to fielding, and wicket-keeping as well. Wicket-keeper batters are the true gems of the game. They are the all-rounders without the tag of an all-rounder. A stat says that if an inning goes on for an entire day the wicket-keeper makes approximately 1500 squats! So, in short, it is a tough job. Here is a look at the top 5 wicket-keeper batters who have empowered the game:&nbsp;



<h2>1) Kumar Sangakkara is the top wicket-keeper batter:??</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2022/07/Kumar-Sangakkara-min.jpg" alt="Kumar Sangakkara Top Wicket-Keeper Batters" class="wp-image-91574" /><figcaption>IMG SRC: TOI</figcaption></figure>



The top position is a disputed one because MS Dhoni has a lot of fans following him. But Kumar Sangakkara takes the cake. Sanga is undoubtedly one of the best players to touch the bat and wear the gloves. What makes this justified is the fact that Kumar has scored 12000+ runs in test cricket, 14000+ runs in ODI cricket, and 1300+ runs in T20I cricket. Kumar is in a league of his own. His presence was so dominant that after his departure, Sri Lanka was never able to fill his void.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2>2) MS Dhoni is one of the top 5 wicket-keeper batters:??</h2>



MS Dhoni is a GOD in India. And he deserves that love as well. Hailing from a small background, MS has made the world his own. Captain, leader, legend, and a great wicket-keeper batter, MS Dhoni was a true package. MSD has scored over 17000 runs in international cricket. We can add to that 3 ICC Trophies. This makes Mahi the most successful captain in the history of the game.&nbsp;



<h2>3) Adam Gilchrist:&nbsp;</h2>



Adam Gilchrist was the pioneer of ?Attacking Wicket-Keeper Batters?. Today we see Rishabh Pant and Jonny Bairstow taking his legacy forward. He was the first one who made the red ball game look sexy. He didn?t open for the Aussies in tests but in ODIs he was a monster. One can never forget when Adam Gilchrist walked in the World Cup Semi-Final of 2003 and proved that cricket truly is the gentleman?s game.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2>4) Andy Flower is one of the top 5 wicket-keeper batters:?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2022/07/Andy-flower-min.jpg" alt="Andy Flower Best Wicket-Keeper Batters" class="wp-image-91575" /><figcaption>IMG SRC: Indian Express</figcaption></figure>



A true Zimbabwe legend, Andy Flower is one of the top-rated wicket-keeper batters. The flower was in its prime in the mid-1990s. He was their top batter and single-handedly carried the team. It was so great to have such a fantastic player coming from a nation that doesn?t have the best support. Flower scored over 10000 runs in both the formats combined.&nbsp;



<h2>5) Alec Stewart is one of the top 5 wicket-keeper batters:&nbsp;</h2>



Alec Stewart is one of the top English batters of all time. It is a compliment that he was also a wicketkeeper. Stewart played from 1989 to 2003. Hee played over 300 international games in his career and scored a mountain of runs. He ended with 12000+ runs. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Butler are two prodigies who are following in the footsteps of Stewart.&nbsp;&nbsp;



To know more go to <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-what-is-going-wrong-in-crucial-matches-2022/" target="_blank" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-what-is-going-wrong-in-crucial-matches-2022/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indian Cricket Team: What is going Wrong in Crucial Matches? 2022.</a>



Read more such articles at<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-t20-world-cup-2022-indian-squad-schedule-date-time-and-venues/" target="_blank" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-t20-world-cup-2022-indian-squad-schedule-date-time-and-venues/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Indian Squad, Schedule, Date, Time, and Venues.</a>



To know more go to the <a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" rel="noreferrer noopener">official website of ICC. </a>

Wicket-Keeper Batters: Top 5 Wicket-Keeper Batters to Ever Play the Game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Mark Boucher to step down as South Africa coach after T20 World Cup 2022: South African Men?s cricket team head coach Mark Boucher is set to bid goodbye to his coaching role in the team after the completion of the T20 World Cup 2022. The development has been ratified by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday.



"Mr Boucher has decided to resign in order to pursue other opportunities in line with his future career and personal objectives. While Cricket SA greatly regrets that Mr Boucher is unable to see out the term of his contract, it respects his decision and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours," a statement from Cricket South Africa said.



"We are deeply saddened by Mark's decision to leave us but we also understand and respect his wishes. He is a Proteas legend and has done so much for the game in our country, both on the field and over the last three years off it, which we highly appreciate," CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe said.



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Boucher, who assumed the charge on December 2019, had the official contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) till the World Cup 2023. However, to pursue other opportunities, he has decided to end his role with the national cricket board.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/asia-cup-2022-top-3-wicket-takers/">Asia Cup 2022: Top 3 wicket-takers in the tournament</a>



Under him, South Africa has won 11 Test matches, including a 2-1 victory against India. He also led his side to the edge of the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals.&nbsp;



Notably, there are talks that Mark Boucher has been approached by a few teams for a coaching role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as in the newly launched CSA T20. As per the reports, Boucher has a few lucrative job offers from the IPL itself and is believed to have accepted one of them. However, further negotiations are underway from both ends.



As of now, it can?t be ascertained whether Boucher has accepted the offer to coach the IPL side or a team in CSA T20 League, or perhaps in both. That development still remains to be seen.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-best-11-t20-world-cup-2022/">T20 World Cup 2022: India?s Best Possible Playing XI in T20 World Cup 2022</a>

Mark Boucher to step down as South Africa coach after T20 World Cup 2022

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Rohit Sharma should take break from IPL 2023, says Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the WTC Final 2023: In a very unusual suggestion for the team India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, has asked Rohit Sharma to take a break from the ongoing Tata IPL 2023 and remain fresh for the upcoming ICC WTC Final 2023. 



Following Mumbai Indians' defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gavaskar advised Rohit to take a little breather from the IPL 2023 campaign for his side and come back in the last phase of the tournament. 



Sunil Gavaskar's rationale behind this statement was to see Rohit Sharma, who also is team India's captain, fresh and fit to play the marquee ICC WTC Final against Australia at the Oval in London, starting June 7.



"I would like to see some change in the batting order [for Mumbai Indians]," Gavaskar had said on Star Sports following MI's defeat against GT. 



"Honestly, I would also say that Rohit Sharma should maybe also take a break for the time being, and keep himself fit for the World Test Championship [final]. [He can] come back again for the last few matches, but right now, [he should] take a little bit of a breather himself," he added.



Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently announced India's squad for the ICC WTC Final 2023 against Australia. The first batch of Indian players will board the plane to London in the final week of May. While the remaining players will join their teammates in London after disposing of their IPL duties.



The cricketer-turned-commentator sensed that Sharma seems to be a little distracted with ICC WTC Final in the picture ahead.



"He is looking just that little bit preoccupied. Maybe at this stage, he is thinking about the WTC [final], I don't know. But I do believe that at this stage he needs a little bit of a break, and come back for the last three or four matches so that he is in rhythm for the World Test Championship [final]," he added.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2023-points-table-orange-cap-purple-cap-list-updated-on-30th-april-after-dc-vs-srh/">IPL 2023 Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap List Updated on 30th April after DC vs SRH</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Don't think he should rest: Mark Boucher</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/04/Rohit-Sharma-Mark-Boucher-1.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma should take break from IPL 2023, says Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the WTC Final 2023" class="wp-image-110672" /></figure>



Meanwhile, Mark Boucher, Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach, has responded to the query raised by Sunil Gavaskar. Boucher, during his media interaction on the eve of Mumbai's clash with Rajasthan Royals, firstly denied that Rohit shouldn't take a rest as he is a vital member of the squad and his presence creates a huge impact. 



Furthermore, the MI coach said that if Rohit himself approaches the management for a breather, the team will surely consider it and do the needful. 



?No, I don?t think he should take a rest. That?s not my call to make," said Mark Boucher, MI's head coach, on the eve of the MI vs RR clash. "Obviously, we want Rohit playing, because he?s a very good player, and a leader as well. If it is the best for Rohit, and he comes up to me and says that ?you know, I need a bit of a break? then yes, we will address that, and I will consider that. He hasn?t done that. So yes at the moment, if he is available to play, he will play."



Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium in the evening clash of Sunday doubleheaders on 30th April 2023. MI is placed at the penultimate positon in the points table and lost two games on the trot after their three consecutive wins in the tournament.







Head to IPL?s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iplt20.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official website&nbsp;</a>to know more.

Rohit Sharma should take break from IPL 2023, says Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the WTC Final 2023

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The wait for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be over. The tournament will begin on 19th February, and the final will take place on 9th March. The India team, no doubt, will be one of the hot favourites to win the tournament, which will be played in a hybrid model. 
India will be playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 games in Dubai. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be beginning their campaign against Bangladesh on 20th February, and, after that, will be playing Pakistan on 23rd February, followed by New Zealand on 2nd March. 
The departure date of India for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 also has been revealed. As per the reports in Times of India, it is learned that the Rohit Sharma-led side will be travelling to Dubai on 15th February. The reports added that more clarity on the same will come in the coming days. 
<h2>India won't be playing any warmup matches ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
Not only this, it is learned that India also won't be playing any warmup matches ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is because all the teams will be in Pakistan, and hence, it will be difficult for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to arrange the warmup match. 
The reports added that India team management is happy with the net session ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is because they will be playing the three-match ODI series against England, which will begin on 6th February across three venues in India. 
Apart from this, it is reported that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 won't be having a captain photoshoot because of the different challenges along with the different arrivals of the team. This means that Rohit Sharma won't be travelling to Pakistan for this and will be staying in Dubai with the team. 
The opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held in Lahore. There were talks of having the event in Karachi but the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to host it in Lahore.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-babar-azam-s-batting-position-decided-selectors-not-in-favour-of-giving-him-this-role-/#google_vignette">ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Babar Azam's batting position decided; selectors not in favour of giving him this role</a>

India will be playing all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 games in Dubai.

It is learned that India also won't be playing any warmup matches ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India to travel to Dubai on this date; unlikely to play warmup game

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India batter Shubman Gill has started his preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The premier batter has returned to nets for the white-ball practice as he was named in the Indian team for the ODI series against England and the ICC tournament. 
Shubman Gill has been under a lot of pressure for his poor outings with the bat, especially in Test cricket. With the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who delivered consistent performances, there were a lot of questions about the place of Gill, even in the ODIs. 
Several fans and experts also have backed Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 along with Rohit Sharma. However, amid all this Shubman Gill is making sure that he gives his best to train for the tournament. 
With England ODIs and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, Shubman Gill was seen batting in the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. He was seen batting with the white-ball ahead of the tournament and the video can be seen at the end of the article. 
Shubman Gill looked in golden touch with the bat as he played a pull towards the four before blocking the balls. The batter would be eager to make a strong comeback and reply to all the criticism in style with his performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 
Shubman Gill recently played the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 for Punjab. The batter was the lone warrior for his team as he hit a magnificent century and returned to form after having a poor outing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he played just three games. 
Shubman Gill would want to carry on his form and help a team win. He has been one of the best batters for India in ODIs. He also has been named as the vice-captain of the team for the tournament and with added responsibility under his belt, a lot will be reliant on him.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-dewald-brevis-turns-into-superman-as-he-takes-a-stunner-in-sa20-2025-/#google_vignette">Watch: Dewald Brevis turns into ‘SUPERMAN’ as he takes a stunner in SA20 2025</a> 
<h2>Watch: Shubman Gill begins preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:</h2>

Shubman Gill gets ready for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 {PC:X}

India batter Shubman Gill has started his preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Shubman Gill has been under a lot of pressure for his poor outings with the bat, especially in Test cricket.

Watch: 'Under pressure' Shubman Gill looks solid in nets ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

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Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been in the news for the last few days, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner. The batter's name has been discussed a lot related to making him open, especially with no clarity over Saim Ayub. 
Pakistan is the only team that has yet to announce the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Since the last few days, he has been in the news as there have been a lot of reports that have suggested that there are chances that he might open the innings for the team. 
However, the fresh reports in Cricket Pakistan have revealed that there are no plans to make Babar Azam open the innings. The reports added that the selection committee has not given the green signal to the development as they feel that batter will be best suited in the middle order. 
<h2>Selectors want a proper opener in the role; Babar Azam to at in middle-order</h2>
The reports claimed that selectors want a proper opener in the role. One of the openers that has been finalized by the management is Fakhar Zaman. However, with Saim Ayub likely to miss out, it is learned that Imam-ul-Haq is also in contention to take the role. 
Babar Azam has been the best batter for Pakistan in ODIs. The batter has mustered truckloads of runs for the team in the format while batting at No.3 and he will be extremely crucial for his team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be played in Pakistan with India games to be played in India. 
Babar Azam also has been a decent opener as well. He has been opening for the team in T20Is and has achieved massive success as well. He also opened in Test cricket during the recent South Africa series and aced that challenge as well, slamming two half-centuries in two innings. 
But, in white-ball cricket, Babar Azam has been criticised a lot for opening in T20Is. This is because he has failed to maximise the powerplay and has been batting with a low strike rate. It remains to be seen where he will be batting for the team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-dewald-brevis-turns-into-superman-as-he-takes-a-stunner-in-sa20-2025-/#google_vignette">Watch: Dewald Brevis turns into ‘SUPERMAN’ as he takes a stunner in SA20 2025</a>

Babar Azam has been the best batter for Pakistan in ODIs.

Pakistan batter Babar Azam has been in the news for the last few days, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Babar Azam's batting position decided; selectors not in favour of giving him this role

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India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has provided a massive fitness update about batter Rinku Singh ahead of the fourth IND vs ENG T20I. He mentioned that the left-hander has gained full fitness and will be playing the next match of the five-match T20I series. 
India and England are all set to lock horns with each other in the fourth match of the T20I series. The game is all set to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday (30th January). The series is currently at 2-1, with hosts in the lead. 
India has been without the services of Rinku Singh for the last two games of the IND vs ENG series. The left-hander sustained a low back spasm while fielding in the first game and was then ruled out of the next two games of the series as he was under the observation of the BCCI medical team. 
In his place, the India team added Dhruv Jurel to the XI, and the move didn't pay off. The keeper-batter batted lower down the order and struggled to get going in both games, and it potentially cost them the last match of the series. 
<h2>Rinku Singh is fit and ready to play tomorrow - Ryan Ten Doeschate</h2>
However, in what will be a massive boost, Rinku Singh has been declared fit for the next two games. The development was confirmed by assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate, who said that the batter hit nets and will be playing. He told reporters. 
"Rinku Singh is fit and ready to play tomorrow. He batted yesterday night" 
Rinku Singh has been India's one of the best batters in the T20Is. His absence was felt in the last two games as well, but now, with him being fit, it is expected that he would walk straight into the XI and is likely to add Dhruv Jurel to the team. 
The fourth IND vs ENG T20I will be a great opportunity for India to to seal the series, but they need to make some corrections before heading into the next IND vs ENG match. 
India faced a disappointing 26-run loss in the last match at Rajkot. Their batting was one of the main reasons behind the loss and they would be hoping to make a strong comeback.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-dewald-brevis-turns-into-superman-as-he-takes-a-stunner-in-sa20-2025-/#google_vignette">Watch: Dewald Brevis turns into ‘SUPERMAN’ as he takes a stunner in SA20 2025</a>

India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has provided a massive fitness update about batter Rinku Singh ahead of the fourth IND vs ENG T20I

India has been without the services of Rinku Singh for the last two games of the IND vs ENG series.

Rinku Singh to play fourth IND vs ENG T20I? India's assistant coach makes a massive statement

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On Thursday morning, the scene outside New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium was nothing short of extraordinary. A massive crowd had gathered well before the match, eager to witness Kohli in action. Long queues stretched for nearly 2 km, with fans patiently waiting for entry. Given his status as Indian cricket biggest crowd-puller the frenzy was hardly surprising. A huge crowd is gathered to see king kohli in  Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch kohli. Reports says that 2KM long queue was showing outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium for virat kohli.
Ranji Trophy action was peaked on January 30 when Virat Kohli, top  star of Indian crickete team, show in his first Ranji Trophy match after a 12-year. Crowd that was shown 2KM away from Arun Jaitley Stadium to see live playing virat kohli. That shows the fan base that kohli and love for indians.
Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after more than a decade has ignited immense excitement among cricket fans, drawing fresh attention to India’s premier domestic tournament. Virat Kohli’s played his last match  in 2012, that was named in Delhi’s starting XI for their clash against Railways.
According to ANI sports  reports Vipul Kashyap, more than 15,000 fans showed up to see Kohli playing in a Ranji Trophy match after 12 year . That  momentous was return after 12 years for cricket fans. The crowd erupted in excitement the moment Kohli stepped onto the field with his teammates. The roar of the fans was deafening, a testament to their admiration for the former India captain. Kohli acknowledged their love, expressing his gratitude with a warm gesture to there fans.
Virat Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy when Delhi still had former players like Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. In that match against Uttar Pradesh, he scored 57 runs across two innings, falling to Bhuvneshwar Kumar both times.
Kohli has featured in 23 Ranji matches between 2006  to 2012 debut against Tamil Nadu, scoring 1,574 runs at an impressive average of 50.77, including five centuries. His highest score—173—came against Bengal. A stellar 2009-10 season earned him a Test call-up, and in 2011, he made his debut in whites against the West Indies. 
Reports says that Virat Kohli’s plays more domestic tournament matches to do practice for future matchs and inspire young generation as well. In future we see more such matchs and India top player's to plays such a match in domestic ground.

Huge Crowd Coming To See Virat Kohli In Ranji Trophy

Ranji Trophy action peaked on January 30 when Virat Kohli, the star Indian cricketer, featured in his first Ranji Trophy game after a 12-year gap.

Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji Trophy after more than a decade