Whether it is a batter, bowler, or wicketkeeper, playing in English conditions has always been a significant challenge. The overcast conditions have tested even experienced campaigners. Just like batters and bowlers, wicket-keepers have also been tested in English conditions due to changing weather conditions that also affect the wickets. In England, due to overcast conditions, the ball swings and seams unpredictably, which makes wicket-keeping tough.

In this piece, we discuss three Indian wicketkeepers who have showcased neat glovework with a combination of technique and footwork through which they have registered crucial dismissals through stumpings and catches at crucial situations that helped team India. These wicket-keepers showcased mental as well as physical toughness in testing English conditions to register the highest number of dismissals in England in their respective test careers.

They showcased agility and quick reflexes to take crucial catches that changed the outcome of a game. Although their technique varied but they played a big role in giving the team some memorable moments. In this piece, we discuss in detail three Indian wicketkeepers who have registered the highest number of dismissals in test cricket in England :

1.Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36 Dismissals in 12 Test Matches)-

"Captain Cool" as he was fondly called during his playing days due to his calm temperament under pressure situations, will undoubtedly be considered the best wicket keeper Indian cricket has ever produced. The 44-year-old registered 36 dismissals that included 36 catches in 12 tests and 23 innings in England. The former wicket-keeper batter and captain showcased accuracy with his anticipation behind the stumps and neat collection in seaming English conditions. 

His ability to read a bowler's length and the seam movement the wicket offered helped him anticipate the timing of his jump while taking catches. Against the spinners, Dhoni read the delivery when the bowler released it. His quick thinking to catch the batter off guard for stumping was his biggest strength.

2.Rishabh Pant (41 Dismissals in 12 Test Matches)-

Pant's agility, quick reflexes, and his ability to read the line of the ball after landing help him collect the ball neatly behind the stumps in English conditions. The wicket-keeper batter times the jump perfectly with his awareness to judge the length of a particular delivery. The 28-year-old's wide stance enables him to move quickly on fast English wickets where the movement is more after pitching.

When the conditions aid swing in England, Pant judges the point of release from where a bowler releases the ball, which enables him to collect the ball safely. He has got a safe pair of hands while standing against the spinners, as he is aware of how a batter approaches a particular spinner. He has registered 41 dismissals in 12 tests so far in 22 innings in England, including 40 catches and 1 stumping. 

Also Read: India's biggest away test wins ft. Edgbaston 2025

3.Kiran More (24 Dismissals in 6 Test Matches)-

The former Baroda player was known for his sharp thinking and clever anticipation to judge the length of a delivery early. In England, More showcased his sharp technique that included standing more in line in conditions which aided late swing to the pacers.

 The wicket-keeper batter was sharp with his collection with the new ball, and in overcast conditions, his movement and wide stance allowed him to judge a bowler's length who was penetrative with his inswingers. More registered 24 dismissals in 6 tests and 12 innings in England, including 24 catches.

Cheteshwar Pujara is currently out of the Indian Test team. He has not been part of the squad since the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. India will tour England next month, but it looks unlikely that Pujara will be selected. However, the batsman has said that he is not available for selection.

Pujara made his Test debut in 2010 during the series against Australia. His career has spanned over 13 years, but he never got the chance to lead the Indian team as captain.

In a recent interview with a well-known Indian media channel, Pujara broke his silence on this matter. Along with his views on not getting the captaincy, he also shared his thoughts on the leadership styles of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.

Also Read  - Good news for RCB fans: Major update on star player’s availability ahead of upcoming clash

Pujara said in a recent interview with a popular media outlet that he is not sad about not getting the captaincy. He believes in his own ability. Pujara said, "Captaincy is something that, if given to you, you take up that role. If it’s not given, you don’t go and ask for it.

Whenever I have captained—whether it was India A or Sussex, where I helped the team move from Division Two to Division One—I played the role of a senior player. Even in the Saurashtra team, I have led before. I understand what is needed as a captain and what ability is required.

So, whether you are the captain or not doesn’t matter. What matters is how you support the team, how you give input, and how you help. That’s more important. I have no sorrow or regret about not getting the captaincy."

Cheteshwar Pujara On His Bonding With Rohit Sharma ❤️. pic.twitter.com/CcsyQaIgoD

— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) May 23, 2025

What Pujara Said About Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit’s Captaincy

Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut in 2010 under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After that, he played under the leadership of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.

Talking about playing under four different captains, Pujara said, "My debut was under Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). It was a special feeling. He always stayed calm. He could tell from a player’s body language how they were feeling. He would simply say—Don’t take too much tension, just play the way you always do.

Then, Virat became captain. He was aggressive and always wanted to win every match. With Virat, there was a strong desire to go out and win series abroad.

When I played under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, he was also calm. I was the vice-captain then, and we used to talk a lot about the game. Then Rohit Sharma became captain. He speaks openly and shares whatever is on his mind.”

Shikhar Dhawan recently discussed the tremendous assistance he had from MS Dhoni during his professional career.  He thanked Dhoni for helping him and Rohit Sharma, emphasising how the former skipper's guidance influenced their professional paths.

"Dhoni bhai supported and backed me a lot. He also backed Rohit. His guidance helped us."

- Dhawan !! ❤pic.twitter.com/ZssP7uzWxZ

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) February 21, 2025

ALSO SEE: Chahal And Dhanashree Parted Ways Posting Cryptic Messages

Dhoni, who is renowned for his calm leadership, always saw talent and gave players the courage to succeed.  He made a brilliant move by elevating Rohit Sharma to the position of opener, while Dhawan himself profited from Dhoni's confidence at pivotal times.
This illustrates why a lot of players from Dhoni's time still credit him with helping them succeed.  As a captain, he stood out for his ability to develop and encourage teammates in addition to his strategic leadership.

In the world of cricket, the rivalries are fierce, but occasions of warmth and sportsmanship rise above them. Such was the case before the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final when a photo of MS Dhoni cradling Sarfaraz Ahmed's son, Abdullah, became viral. 
How the Iconic Photo Was Taken
Sarfaraz recently related the story behind the now-iconic photo in an interview. He remembered sitting in the lobby of the hotel with his family when he saw Dhoni in the vicinity. Aware of what a legend Dhoni is, Sarfaraz requested that Dhoni take a photo with his son. Dhoni, made the memory that would last him a lifetime.

Sarfaraz Ahmed shares the heartwarming story behind MS Dhoni's viral photo with his son❤️
See here: https://t.co/FUByLkS64B pic.twitter.com/tcnPNfuDGo

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 17, 2025

ALSO SEE :  How Mumbai Indians Shaping the Future of Indian Cricket

It's More Than Just a Picture
The photo struck with people from both Pakistan and India. It was not about cricketand it was about humanity, respect, and the commonality that across national boundaries. Even in a major tournament, these kinds of gestures remind us of the essence of the game.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
Moments such as these justify the term cricket as the "gentleman's game." Sarfaraz thanked Dhoni for his courtesy and appreciated the wonderful memory. Moments such as these transcend competition and leave behind stories that fans tell forever.
The Legacy of This Beautiful Moment
Years down the line, this photo still reminds everyone of the friendships among players. Although teams fight hard on the ground, outside the playing arena, respect and courtesy always manage to shine through.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, often heralded as one of cricket’s greatest finishers, continues to defy the constraints of age and physical challenges. On April 19, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, home of the Lucknow Super Giants, Dhoni showcased why he remains a pivotal force in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Dhoni’s Performance at Ekana Stadium

With the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) struggling at 141/6 and just 13 balls left in the innings, Dhoni walked into a pressure-cooker situation, a scenario all too familiar yet always thrilling.

See Also: Why is Dhoni not coming to bat early? Fans unhappy

Dhoni’s blistering 28 off nine balls at the Ekana Stadium is yet another chapter in his book of memorable innings. His ability to elevate his game when it matters most keeps his legend growing. At a time, when 160 looked tough, Dhoni made 176 possible with explosive batting. 

Dhoni batting in the 20th over in the IPL
Runs: 772
Balls: 313
SR: 246.64
4s/6s: 53/65
This season: 57 off 16, four fours, six sixes (SR: 356.25)

Breakdown of Dhoni’s Explosive Innings

Facing a robust bowling lineup and a crucial juncture of the game, the stage was set for a spectacle. Dhoni, with a potentially injured knee and minimal match practice this season, was about to remind everyone of his unmatched prowess. Dhoni faced a variety of deliveries, showcasing his skill to adapt and attack. His strategic singles and boundary hits were calculated moves that drove CSK’s score upward dramatically.

Before Dhoni’s arrival at the crease, CSK was teetering towards an underwhelming total. His explosive batting not only stabilized the innings but also set a challenging target for LSG.

Fan and Media Reactions

The social media was abuzz with praises for Dhoni, with fans and pundits lauding his ability to turn the game dramatically. Cricket experts dissected Dhoni’s innings, highlighting his unyielding nature and his crucial role in CSK’s tactical lineup.

Fans of both MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, and Bobby Deol, the acclaimed Bollywood actor, were in for an unexpected twist when Bobby Deol shared a personal exchange with Dhoni on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This exchange stirred curiosity and speculation among fans as they tried to decipher the cryptic message shared by the duo.

The Mysterious Message

Bobby Deol took to X to share a screenshot of a personal message he received from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain. In the message, Dhoni requested Bobby to delete a particular video, describing it as “very embarrassing.” This tweet quickly caught the attention of fans, sparking a wave of speculation regarding the contents of the video in question.

See Also: 5 Indian players likely to have most impact in IPL 2024

Despite being unclear about the video’s contents, fans began speculating about its nature. Some enthusiasts shared an old video of MS Dhoni dancing at a social event. In contrast, others humorously requested Bobby Deol to leak the video, expressing a keen interest in witnessing Dhoni’s dance moves.

Reality Check: The Promotional Video

Contrary to the wild speculations, the mysterious video was part of a promotional campaign for an upcoming advertisement. The advertisement features Bobby Deol and MS Dhoni engaging in playful banter, with Dhoni teasing Bobby for losing a runway fight against Ranbir Kapoor in the movie “Animal.” The video showcases their camaraderie as they indulge in an online game, culminating in Dhoni performing a dance step from “Jamal Kudu,” much to the amusement of fans.

Bobby Deol and MS Dhoni’s Professional Ventures

Transitioning to their professional endeavours, Bobby Deol is set to grace the pan-Indian Tamil film “Kanguva” alongside Suriya. The teaser for the film has been released, offering a glimpse into the riveting narrative that promises captivating action sequences and introduces Bobby Deol in an intriguing antagonist role.

In the cricketing arena, the Chennai Super Kings are gearing up to defend their title in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As the team prepares for the upcoming season, speculations loom over MS Dhoni’s potential retirement from the tournament following his resignation as captain.

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Leadership

With speculations rife about Dhoni’s retirement, attention turns to Ruturaj Gaikwad, appointed as the new captain of the Chennai Super Kings. Gaikwad, a consistent performer for the team since 2019, is poised to lead the franchise into a new era, marking a significant transition in leadership.