Meet the Men Behind the Gloves: Spotlight on Rajasthan Royals’ Wicket-keepers
A cricket team have eleven different positions, and yet there remains one position that stands out as being incredibly important – the wicket-keeper. The unsung hero in a star-led team of India’s most prestigious cricket league, Indian Premier League (IPL), the role of a wicket-keeper is often underestimated but immensely crucial.In this article, we dive deep into the talent pool of one IPL team in particular – The Rajasthan Royals, shining a light on their marvelous wicket-keeping talents present and past. As they say, teams win matches but wicket keepers change them!
Current Squad Wicket-Keepers
Among current squad players, Rajasthan Royals houses two major wicket keeping stars:
1. Jos Buttler
One of England’s finest cricketers, Jos Buttler‘s journey with Rajasthan Royals has been nothing short of astounding.
- Career: Known for his destructive batting and agility behind the stumps, he had become an invaluable asset to the team since joining Rajasthan Royals in 2018.
- Achievements: He rose to international fame after his spectacular innings against Mumbai Indians where he scored an epic 94 runs off just 53 balls.
- Skillset: A right-handed batsman and wicket keeper by trade, his flexibility allows him to be posted anywhere from opening to playing at number six.
2. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson, another impressive figure from the domestic circuit, established himself early as a promising prospect.
- Career: The very young Kerala-born player has made a name for himself in the domestic circuit and IPL alike with his superlative batting skills coupled with impressive wicket-keeping.
- Achievements: In 2013, Samson was named the “Best Young Player of the Season” by IPL for scoring 206 runs from six innings at an average of 34.33 and striking rate above 115 as a nineteen-year-old.
- Skillset: Equally proficient as both a batsman and a keeper, his quick reflexes and sharp concentration make him an extraordinary talent behind the stumps.
Past Wicket-Keeping Stars
Several other fantastic keepers have graced the Rajasthan Royals’ squad throughout its iconic IPL journey:
1. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, dubbed ‘The Wall’, is world-famous for his contribution to Indian Cricket. Despite primarily playing as a top-order batsman, Dravid also kept wickets on several occasions when called upon.
- Career: Even though keeping was not his primary function, he did manage to stump some major players during key matches thanks to his deep understanding of cricketing mechanics and intuitive pitch reading capabilities..
- Achievements: Notably, in one series against England, he executed five dismissals while donning the role of a part-time wicketkeeper.
2. Dinesh Karthik
A seasoned veteran having played across multiple teams over the years, Dinesh Karthik‘s stint with Rajasthan Royals merits mention.
- Career: His contribution to the squad both as a cricketer and as a mentor proved vital in nurturing some of Rajasthan Royals’ emerging talent.
- Achievements: He has done full justice behind the gloves with quick catches and swift stumpings, justifying his position as a regular wicket-keeper in IPL’s early seasons.
The Intricate Role of Wicket Keeping
Being a wicket keeper isn’t merely about catching the ball. It requires staying focused on every delivery, understanding the bowler’s mind, reading pitch conditions, forecasting batsmen moves and making split-second decisions that could be game changers. Their task extends beyond dismissals – they also play additional roles of guiding field placement for bowlers, advising on bowling strategies during play and providing valuable insights into opposition strengths and weaknesses.With such immense responsibilities shouldered by these men behind the gloves from The Rajasthan Royals, one can safely say that their role is effectively much more than simply ‘keeping’. Truly, it’s thanks to these guardians at the gate, incredible matches are played and phenomenal victories achieved!Long live cricket, and long live the tradition of great wicket keeping! As we continue watching beautiful games unfold each season in Indian Premier League, let’s give due respect to our amazing Royal Glove Men who continue to bowl us over with jaw-dropping performances!
