The last wicketkeeper is hard to guess.🤨

Показать описание

Parthiv Patel,
a pocket-sized attacking wicket-keeper-batsman, burst onto the international scene in 2002 at just 17 years and 153 days, becoming the youngest wicketkeeper in Test history. As his wicket-keeping skills deteriorated, Parthiv lost his spot in 2004, and with the emergence of Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni, he slipped further down the ranks.

In the 2015 IPL, after a slow start, Parthiv found form in the latter half of the tournament, scoring 339 runs and finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer in Mumbai Indians' title-winning campaign. Later that year, he led Gujarat to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy victory with his first List-A hundred. His consistent performances continued in domestic tournaments, including four fifties in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and a century in the Deodhar Trophy.

Parthiv's persistence paid off when he received a call-up to the Indian squad in February 2016, four years after his last international appearance, as a stand-by for the injured Dhoni. His strong form carried into the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, where he scored three fifties and a century in the first five games. This form earned him a place in the Test team during the home series against England when Saha was sidelined due to injury.

Adam Gilchrist
Whether opening in ODIs or coming in at No. 7 in Tests he was also a unique blend of modern explosiveness and old-school sportsmanship, famously walking when he knew he was out, even in the high-stakes 2003 World Cup semi-final.

Gilchrist’s philosophy was simple: "Just hit the ball." With his high-handle grip, he found gaps with ease and pulverized bowlers at a breathtaking tempo, scoring at rates of 81 runs per 100 balls in Tests and 96 in ODIs. His debut in the Test arena was nothing short of game-changing, as his aggressive 81 and all-around brilliance behind the stumps marked the start of Australia’s transformation from strong to nearly unstoppable.

Though his career was largely free of slumps, he did struggle in the 2005 Ashes against Andrew Flintoff’s angle, but his overall impact remained undiminished. One of his finest moments came in the 2007 World Cup final, where he smashed 149 from 104 balls, using a tip from his batting coach to place a squash ball in his glove for better grip, guiding Australia to a dominant victory.

In Tests, Gilchrist produced several unforgettable innings, including a match-saving 149* against Pakistan in Hobart (1999), a punishing 204* against South Africa in Johannesburg (2002), and a record-breaking 57-ball century in the 2006-07 Ashes series in Perth. His wicketkeeping record was equally outstanding, with 472 dismissals in ODIs, the most by any Australian wicketkeeper.

As a leader, Gilchrist captained Australia to their first Test series win in India in 35 years (2004-05), a testament to his tactical acumen and leadership. Though he lacked the acrobatics of Rod Marsh or the finesse of Ian Healy, Gilchrist’s reliable hands seldom let him down. After surpassing Mark Boucher as the leading Test wicketkeeper, Gilchrist announced his retirement in 2008, capping off a remarkable career as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

Brendon McCullum Known for his audacious style of batting, McCullum could dismantle bowling attacks with ease, making him one of the most feared wicketkeeper-batters in the game. His ability to hit the ball hard and far made him a standout, whether he was opening the innings or coming in lower down the order.

McCullum's career was full of memorable moments, but none more significant than his 158* in the inaugural match of the IPL in 2008, which set the tone for the future of the format. His fearless approach extended into Test cricket, where he famously scored the fastest century in Test history during his final match, epitomizing his aggressive and unrelenting nature at the crease.

His remarkable 302 against India in Wellington in 2014, a marathon effort spanning 775 minutes, demonstrated his ability to dig in and play for the team's needs. It was New Zealand's first-ever triple century and one of the longest innings in terms of time.

Under his captaincy, New Zealand reached the World Cup final for the first time in 2015 and went unbeaten in 13 consecutive home Tests. He also holds the distinction of being the first player to play 100 consecutive Tests from debut for New Zealand.

Though he could have surpassed Adam Parore's record of 201 Test dismissals, McCullum relinquished wicketkeeping duties to focus on leadership. By the time he retired, McCullum had left an indelible mark on world cricket as one of its most thrilling and innovative players.

#CricketQuiz #Wicketkeepers #ParthivPatel #AdamGilchrist #BrendonMcCullum #CricketTrivia #TestYourKnowledge #CricketShorts #CricketLegends #CricketFans