Fastest Stumping in Cricket History - Top 10 Quickest Ever
by Maivizhi A | Updated May 31, 2023
Fastest Stumping in Cricket History
In the thrilling sport of cricket, few moments captivate fans quite like a lightning-fast stumping. It is an act of sheer skill, precision, and agility that leaves spectators in awe and the batsman dumbfounded. The fastest stumping in cricket history stands as a testament to the incredible reflexes and anticipation possessed by a wicketkeeper.
1.
MS Dhoni vs Keemo Paul
India vs West Indies in ODI
2.
MS Dhoni vs Shubman Gill
CSK vs GT in IPL
3.
Ben Cox vs Calum MacLeod
Durham vs Worcestershire
4.
Mark Boucher vs Atapattu
Sri Lanka vs South Africa in ODI
5.
MS Dhoni vs Mitchell Marsh
India vs Australia in T20
6.
McCullum vs Ricky Ponting
Australia vs New Zealand in World Cup
7.
Kumar Sangakkara vs Jimmy Maher
Sri Lanka vs Australia in ODI
8.
Bradley Barnes vs Saurabh Tiwary
South Africa vs India U19 World Cup
9.
Sangakkara vs Lara
Sri Lanka vs West Indies in T20
10.
Dinesh Karthik vs Michael Vaughan
India vs England in ODI
S.No
Fastest stumping in cricket
Matches
Imagine the tension on the field as the bowler delivers a quick and cunning delivery, deceiving the batsman with its subtle variation. In the blink of an eye, the ball whizzes past the stumps, leaving the batsman momentarily stranded. But there, behind the wicket, the wicketkeeper springs into action like a coiled spring, his gloves lightning-quick as he snatches the ball from the air.
This breathtaking display of skill and dexterity etches itself into the annals of cricketing history, a testament to the unrivalled reflexes and razor-sharp instincts possessed by these guardians of the wicket. The fastest stumping in cricket history serves as a reminder of the immense talent and athleticism required to achieve such a feat, forever leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Top 10 Fastest Stumping in Cricket
With lightning speed, the wicketkeeper swiftly removes the bails, leaving the batsman out of his crease and with no hope of redemption. It all happens so swiftly, so smoothly, that even the most astute observers are left in astonishment.
1. MS Dhoni vs Keemo Paul(India vs West Indies)
One of the fastest stumpings in cricket history was executed by Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni against West Indies' Keemo Paul. The incident took place during the fourth One Day International (ODI) match between the two teams on October 29, 2018, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, India.
During the match, Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled a delivery that turned sharply, beating the outside edge of Paul's bat. Sensing an opportunity, Dhoni, known for his lightning-quick reflexes behind the stumps, collected the ball and lightning-fastly removed the bails in a split second. The entire process happened in the blink of an eye, leaving Paul stunned and the crowd in awe.
Dhoni's ability to anticipate the batsman's movement and his exceptional agility contributed to the extraordinary speed of the stumping. His lightning-fast glove work and impeccable technique have made him one of the best wicket keepers in the history of cricket. His lightning-quick stumping of Keemo Paul further solidified his reputation as a master behind the stumps.
The stumping by Dhoni is a testament to his exceptional skill, quick thinking, and lightning-fast reflexes. It showcased his ability to dismiss batsmen with lightning speed and precision, making him an invaluable asset to the Indian cricket team. Dhoni's remarkable stumping against Keemo Paul will always be remembered as one of the fastest and most skillful moments in cricket history.
2. MS Dhoni vs Shubman Gill (CSK vs GT in IPL)
Despite having retired from international cricket, Dhoni continued to showcase his remarkable skills on the cricket field in 2023. At the age of 41, he was solely participating in the Indian T20 League. In a captivating moment during the final match against the reigning champions, Team Gujarat, Dhoni, leading the Chennai team, took everyone by surprise with his extraordinary reflexes. In a matter of mere milliseconds, he executed a lightning-fast stumping of the dangerous batsman, Shubman Gill.
Gill, attempting to play a delivery from Jadeja, unfortunately lost his balance and failed to connect with the ball. Almost immediately after the ball passed Gill's bat, Dhoni anticipated the opportunity and swiftly whipped off the bails, leaving Gill stunned and out of the crease. Despite Gill's desperate attempt to drag his back foot back inside the crease, he was unsuccessful, falling victim to Dhoni's expert wicket keeping skills.
This exceptional display of agility and precision once again emphasised to the world that age has no bearing on Dhoni's prowess as one of India's most accomplished captains. By effortlessly executing such a remarkable stumping, Dhoni reminded everyone that his talent and capabilities remain unparalleled, regardless of his advancing years.
3. Ben Cox vs Calum MacLeod (Durham vs Worcestershire)
Ben Cox's stumping of Calum MacLeod is considered one of the fastest stumpings in cricket history. It occurred during a match between Worcestershire and Scotland in 2018. Cox, the wicketkeeper for Worcestershire, showcased his exceptional reflexes and skill behind the stumps during this remarkable incident.
Calum MacLeod, a talented Scottish batsman, was looking to accelerate the scoring rate when he ventured down the pitch to play a big shot off a delivery. However, the bowler deceived him with a clever change of pace, causing MacLeod to miss the ball completely. In that split second, Cox anticipated the opportunity and gathered the ball quickly.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Cox whipped the bails off in a flash, catching MacLeod short of his crease. The speed and precision of Cox's stumping left everyone astounded, including the batsman himself, who was left shaking his head in disbelief as he walked back to the pavilion.
This remarkable feat showcased Ben Cox's exceptional agility and presence of mind behind the stumps. It demonstrated his ability to react swiftly and decisively to create vital breakthroughs for his team. The stumping will be remembered as one of the fastest in cricket history, highlighting the remarkable skills possessed by both Cox and MacLeod in their respective roles on the field.
4. Mark Boucher vs Atapattu (Sri Lanka vs South Africa in ODI)
Mark Boucher, a former South African cricketer and current head coach of the national team, is widely recognized as one of the greatest wicket keeper-batsmen in the history of the game. He played a crucial role in South Africa's successful Test and ODI teams during the post-apartheid era.
During his career spanning from 1997 to 2012, Boucher showcased his skills as a resilient right-handed batsman and a brilliant wicketkeeper in 147 Tests, 295 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for his country. Unfortunately, his illustrious career was cut short by an accidental eye injury prior to the England tour nearly a decade ago. However, Boucher left the game after accumulating over 10,000 international runs and claiming nearly 1,000 dismissals behind the stumps.
One notable incident involving Boucher occurred during the 2005-06 tri-series in Australia. In a crucial match against Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval, Boucher demonstrated his sharp glovework, agility, and awareness. As Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu attempted to play a sharp off-spinner from Johan Botha, the ball brushed off his pads and went into Boucher's hands. Observing Botha's appeal for an LBW, Boucher quickly joined in without umpire Aleem Dar showing interest.
In an unexpected turn of events, Atapattu instinctively stepped outside the batting crease, and while Boucher was still focused on the LBW appeal, he managed to run him out with a flick towards the stumps. This unusual form of dismissal surprised Atapattu, who only realised his mistake when the TV umpire confirmed the dismissal on the giant screen.
This incident took place before the era of widespread social media, where fans didn't have numerous platforms to express their opinions or perspectives on cricket matters. Today, Boucher's remarkable piece of glovework might spark debates on whether it should be considered fake fielding or not. Different interpretations could arise, with some suggesting.
5. MS Dhoni vs Mitchell Marsh (India Vs Australia)
The incident involving MS Dhoni and Mitchell Marsh in 2012 serves as evidence that Dhoni's exceptional stumping skills were not limited to a single occurrence. During India's tour Down Under, precisely six years prior, Marsh became a victim of Dhoni's lightning-fast glove work. In the second match of a T20 series between the two cricketing nations, Marsh found himself leaving his batting crease while facing spinner Rahul Sharma.
In an unfortunate turn of events for the Australian, he failed to make contact with Sharma's delivery, leaving him vulnerable to Dhoni's swift reflexes. In an astonishing display of agility and precision, Dhoni executed the stumping of the all-rounder in an astonishingly quick 0.09 seconds. This remarkable feat was then recorded as the fastest stumping ever witnessed in the history of cricket up until that point in time.
6. McCullum vs Ricky Ponting ( New Zealand vs Australia)
One of the fastest stumpings in cricket history was performed by Brendon McCullum, the former wicket-keeper of the New Zealand cricket team. McCullum's lightning-fast stumping came against the legendary Australian batsman Ricky Ponting during a Test match in 2010.
The incident occurred on the third day of the second Test match between New Zealand and Australia, held at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Australia. Ponting, renowned for his aggressive batting, was batting on 78 when he faced left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori. Vettori pitched the ball just outside off stump, enticing Ponting to come forward and play the ball.
However, the delivery spun sharply, beating Ponting's bat and taking an edge. In that split-second moment, McCullum showed extraordinary reflexes and anticipation. He swiftly moved his gloves to collect the ball and dislodged the bails in a flash, catching Ponting out of his crease. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger, signalling Ponting's dismissal.
McCullum's lightning-quick stumping left both the crowd and cricket pundits in awe. His incredible agility and speed were instrumental in dismissing one of the greatest batsmen of all time. This exceptional display of wicket-keeping skills further solidified McCullum's reputation as one of the best glovemen in cricket history.
In summary, Brendon McCullum's lightning-fast stumping of Ricky Ponting during a Test match in 2010 remains one of the fastest stumpings ever witnessed in the game.
7. Kumar Sangakkara vs Jimmy Maher ( Sri Lanka vs Australia)
One of the fastest stumpings in cricket history involving Kumar Sangakkara and Jimmy Maher took place during a One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and Australia on March 7, 2006. Kumar Sangakkara, the wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka, showcased his exceptional skills behind the stumps during this memorable incident.
The moment occurred when Sri Lanka's fast bowler Dilhara Fernando delivered a quick delivery that beat the Australian batsman, Jimmy Maher. Sangakkara, known for his lightning-fast reflexes, swiftly collected the ball and removed the bails in a flash to complete the stumping. The entire sequence happened in a matter of seconds, leaving the viewers astonished.
This particular stumping by Sangakkara against Maher is widely regarded as one of the fastest in cricket history. It showcased Sangakkara's exceptional anticipation, agility, and precision as a wicketkeeper. The incident also highlighted the importance of a skilled wicketkeeper in the game of cricket, as they play a vital role in dismissing batsmen through stumpings and catches.
Kumar Sangakkara is regarded as one of the greatest wicket keeper-batsmen of all time. His career spanned over 15 years, during which he achieved numerous records and accolades. Sangakkara's ability to execute lightning-fast stumpings like the one against Jimmy Maher is a testament to his incredible talent and contribution to the sport of cricket.
8. Bradley Barnes vs Saurabh Tiwary (South Africa vs India
Although not as swift as some other dismissals in cricket, this incident is considered one of the more awkward ones in the sport. It occurred during the 2008 U19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in a match between India and South Africa. Specifically, it took place on the last ball of the 35th over of the first innings. Saurabh Tiwary, who was batting at the time, had Tanmay Srivastava as his runner due to leg pain.
Yaseen Vallie, the bowler from the South African team, delivered an outside off delivery to Tiwary. Unfortunately, Tiwary missed the ball, and wicket-keeper Bradley Barnes quickly removed the bails. This prompted a strong appeal from the South African players, leading the leg umpire to refer the decision to the third umpire.
Upon reviewing the replay, it became evident that Tiwary was comfortably inside the crease, but his runner Srivastava was positioned outside the crease.
9. Sangakkara vs Lara (Sri Lanka vs West Indies)
This particular incident bears resemblance to the remarkable stumping executed by MSDhoni against Mitchell Marsh. It can be argued that Kumar Sangakkara, without a doubt, stands among the greatest wicket-keepers in the world, and a perfect illustration to support this claim occurred during a match between Sri Lanka and West Indies in the year 2007.
It unfolded as Brian Lara, the renowned batsman, attempted an off-drive against the bowling of Chaminda Vaas. Unfortunately for Lara, he was deceived by the delivery and momentarily lost control of his footwork, causing his foot to momentarily leave the ground.
In that split second, Sangakkara, displaying his incredible reflexes, swiftly gathered the ball and executed a stumping by dislodging the bails while Lara's foot was suspended in the air, leaving him dismissed from the crease.
10. Dinesh Karthik vs Michael Vaughan (India vs England)
Dinesh Karthik's appearance as a wicket-keeper in One Day Internationals (ODIs) for the Indian cricket team is a rare sight indeed. However, on a special occasion, he found himself in the limelight. This remarkable event took place during his debut at Lord's against England, providing him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his exceptional skills. And showcase them he did.
During the match, Harbhajan Singh, the Indian bowler, delivered a ball that veered outside the leg stump. Michael Vaughan, the English batsman, attempted to move towards his left to make contact with the ball but, unfortunately, missed it entirely. In that critical moment, Dinesh Karthik's agility and quick reflexes came into play as he swiftly moved to collect the ball. It was an awe-inspiring display of athleticism.
Imagine for a moment the sheer audacity of this feat. From a position eight feet away from the leg side, Karthik exhibited extraordinary determination and commitment. With the precision of a seasoned professional, he embarked on a colossal dive, reminiscent of a superhero in action. This daring manoeuvre allowed him to reach the stumps and shatter them before Michael Vaughan could regain his footing, ultimately leaving the batsman short of the crease.
It is not an exaggeration to refer to Dinesh Karthik as a SuperMan or any other revered superhero. His unwavering dedication and unparalleled athleticism were on full display during that exceptional dive, solidifying his status as an extraordinary talent in the realm of wicket-keeping. This unforgettable moment will forever be etched in the annals of cricketing history, a testament to Karthik's prowess and his ability to rise to the occasion when it truly matters.
Fastest Stumpers
The fastest stumping in cricket history is a testament to the incredible skill, agility, and reflexes possessed by wicket keepers. These lightning-fast moments leave both the batsman and spectators in awe of the sheer speed and precision involved.
From MS Dhoni's lightning-quick stumping of Keemo Paul and Shubman Gill to Brendon McCullum's remarkable dismissal of Ricky Ponting, these instances showcase the exceptional abilities of these wicketkeepers. Whether it is the anticipation, lightning-quick glove work, or presence of mind, these moments etch themselves into the annals of cricketing history, forever leaving a mark on the sport.
These fastest stumpings serve as reminders of the immense talent and athleticism required to achieve such feats and highlight the crucial role played by wicket keepers in the game of cricket.
Fastest Stumping in Cricket History - FAQs
Mahendra Singh Dhoni holds the record for the fastest stumping in cricket history.
The fastest stumping by MS Dhoni against Keemo Paul took place on October 29, 2018, during an ODI match between India and West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, India.
MS Dhoni holds the record for the most number of fastest stumpings in cricket history.
Dhoni executed the fastest stumping against Shubman Gill in a matter of milliseconds during a match between CSK and GT in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Brendon McCullum executed the fastest stumping in a Test match against Ricky Ponting during a match between New Zealand and Australia in 2010.