Stumping is one of the most demanding skills in cricket. A wicketkeeper must collect the ball cleanly, remove the bails and complete the dismissal before the batter regains ground. The margin for error is small, especially against spinners who tempt batters to step out of their crease.
MS Dhoni holds the record for the most stumpings in men’s international cricket, with 195 dismissals across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara follows with 139, while Romesh Kaluwitharana and Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim share third place with 101 each. These records highlight the reflexes, anticipation and judgement required to convert a batter’s mistake into a wicket.
Most Stumpings in International Cricket: Top 10 List
The following ranking covers men’s international Test matches, One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. It excludes domestic cricket and franchise leagues such as the IPL. The figures are based on international career records, checked on 27 October 2026.
| Rank | Wicketkeeper | Country | International career | Stumpings |
| 1 | MS Dhoni | India | 2004 to 2019 | 195 |
| 2 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 2000 to 2015 | 139 |
| 3 | Romesh Kaluwitharana | Sri Lanka | 1990 to 2004 | 101 |
| 3 | Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | 2005 to present | 101 |
| 5 | Moin Khan | Pakistan | 1990 to 2004 | 93 |
| 6 | Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 1996 to 2008 | 92 |
| 7 | Kamran Akmal | Pakistan | 2002 to 2017 | 85 |
| 8 | Ian Healy | Australia | 1988 to 1999 | 68 |
| 9 | Jos Buttler | England | 2011 to present | 60 |
| 10 | Sarfaraz Ahmed | Pakistan | 2007 to 2023 | 56 |
1. MS Dhoni: 195 Stumpings
Source: NDTV News
MS Dhoni leads the list with 195 international stumpings, giving him a 56 dismissal advantage over Kumar Sangakkara. His record spans all three international formats and remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a wicketkeeper.
Dhoni represented India in 90 Tests, 350 ODIs and 98 T20Is. His format wise stumping figures are:
- Tests: 38
- ODIs: 123
- T20Is: 34
His quick hands and anticipation made him particularly effective against spin. Dhoni often collected the ball close to the stumps and removed the bails in one fluid movement. His success also came from reading a batter’s footwork and recognising when an attempted shot created an opportunity.
Dhoni recorded 829 total international wicketkeeping dismissals, comprising 634 catches and 195 stumpings. His 123 ODI stumpings are a major part of that record.
2. Kumar Sangakkara: 139 Stumpings
Kumar Sangakkara ranks second with 139 international stumpings. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper played international cricket from 2000 to 2015 and combined his responsibilities behind the stumps with an outstanding batting career.
Sangakkara represented Sri Lanka in 134 Tests, 404 ODIs and 56 T20Is. His long career gave him extensive experience against different bowling styles and batting approaches.
His 139 stumpings placed him among the most effective wicketkeepers in international cricket. However, Dhoni finished 56 stumpings ahead of him. That gap demonstrates the scale of Dhoni’s achievement across the three formats.
3. Romesh Kaluwitharana: 101 Stumpings
Romesh Kaluwitharana recorded 101 international stumpings for Sri Lanka between 1990 and 2004. He was an important wicketkeeper during a period when Sri Lanka developed into a major force in limited overs cricket.
Kaluwitharana played 238 international matches and became known for his quick work behind the stumps. His wicketkeeping complemented Sri Lanka’s aggressive approach, particularly in ODIs.
He shares third place with Mushfiqur Rahim, with both players finishing their careers or reaching their current totals on 101 stumpings. Kaluwitharana’s record remains notable despite his shorter international career compared with several other leading wicketkeepers.
4. Mushfiqur Rahim: 101 Stumpings
Source: The Indian Express
Mushfiqur Rahim has recorded 101 international stumpings for Bangladesh, matching Kaluwitharana’s total. His international career began in 2005, and his longevity has made him one of Bangladesh’s most important players.
Rahim contributed across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, combining wicketkeeping with substantial responsibilities as a batter. His career reflects the demands of playing multiple roles for a team developing its international record.
His ODI and T20I stumping totals are settled because he retired from both formats. Only Test cricket remains available to him, so his total of 101 is effectively settled unless he adds further Test stumpings.
Rahim’s position in this ranking reflects his sustained contribution to Bangladesh cricket and his ability to maintain wicketkeeping responsibilities over a long international career.
5. Moin Khan: 93 Stumpings
Moin Khan recorded 93 international stumpings for Pakistan between 1990 and 2004. He was an important member of Pakistan’s wicketkeeping group during a period that included several successful international campaigns.
His total places him just one stumping ahead of Adam Gilchrist. The narrow difference illustrates how closely ranked some of the leading wicketkeepers are, even when their careers span different teams and eras.
Moin’s experience across formats helped him build a strong record behind the stumps. His contribution was particularly valuable against spin bowling, when batters moving forward to attack could create opportunities for quick stumpings.
6. Adam Gilchrist: 92 Stumpings
Adam Gilchrist finished his international career with 92 stumpings for Australia. He played from 1996 to 2008 and became known for combining aggressive batting with reliable wicketkeeping.
Although Gilchrist recorded fewer stumpings than Dhoni and Sangakkara, his overall wicketkeeping record was exceptional. He completed 905 international dismissals, comprising 813 catches and 92 stumpings.
His figures demonstrate why stumpings alone do not measure a wicketkeeper’s complete contribution. Gilchrist’s catching record accounted for the majority of his dismissals, while his batting also played a major role in Australia’s success.
7. Kamran Akmal: 85 Stumpings
Source: The Indian Express
Kamran Akmal recorded 85 international stumpings for Pakistan between 2002 and 2017. He represented Pakistan in Tests, ODIs and T20Is and served as wicketkeeper during several changes in the national team’s lineup.
Akmal’s total places him seventh in this ranking. His record reflects a career that included regular wicketkeeping responsibilities in limited overs cricket, where batters often take greater risks against spin.
He also recorded a substantial number of catches. His overall contribution behind the stumps therefore extended well beyond his stumping total.
8. Ian Healy: 68 Stumpings
Ian Healy represented Australia from 1988 to 1999 and finished with 68 international stumpings. He was an important part of Australia’s wicketkeeping setup during a successful period for the team.
Healy played 119 Tests and 168 ODIs, giving him a long career at the highest level. His international wicketkeeping record included 560 catches in addition to his stumpings.
His figures highlight the importance of consistency and reliable glovework. While his stumping total is lower than those of the leading names, his overall contribution behind the stumps was considerable.
9. Jos Buttler: 60 Stumpings
Jos Buttler features among the leading wicketkeepers in men’s international cricket with a combined total of 60 stumpings across ODIs and T20Is. He has represented England since 2011 and has combined wicketkeeping with an aggressive batting approach.
Buttler’s international career includes 38 ODI stumpings and 22 T20I stumpings. His work behind the stumps in limited overs cricket has contributed to his place among the leading players in this category.
Unlike retired wicketkeepers, Buttler’s international career may continue. His total can therefore change if he plays further international matches as a designated wicketkeeper and completes additional stumpings.
10. Sarfaraz Ahmed: 56 Stumpings
Source: News Byte
Sarfaraz Ahmed recorded 56 international stumpings for Pakistan during a career that began in 2007. He represented Pakistan across all three formats and also captained the national team.
Sarfaraz was particularly important to Pakistan’s limited overs setup, where quick reactions and sharp judgement behind the stumps were essential. His international career extended across multiple seasons and included regular wicketkeeping responsibilities.
His total of 56 stumpings places him among the leading wicketkeepers in this ranking. The figure reflects his contribution behind the stumps during a career that also included significant responsibilities as a batter and captain.
Why Is MS Dhoni So Far Ahead in Stumpings?
Dhoni’s record comes from a combination of reflexes, anticipation, experience and the ability to read batters. He often recognised when a batter had moved too far down the pitch and reacted before the batter could regain the crease.
His career also included regular work with Indian spinners such as Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal. Spin bowling can create more stumping opportunities because batters may step out to attack or struggle to judge the turn and flight of the ball.
The format breakdown also matters. Dhoni’s 123 ODI stumpings form the largest share of his international total. His 38 Test stumpings and 34 T20I stumpings further demonstrate his effectiveness across different match conditions.
What Is a Stumping in Cricket?
A stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper legally puts down the wicket while the batter is out of their ground and is not protected by the relevant laws. It commonly happens when a batter moves down the pitch to play a delivery, misses the ball and cannot regain their ground before the wicketkeeper breaks the wicket.
The wicketkeeper must complete the dismissal legally, with the ball in hand or the hand holding the ball touching the wicket. The dismissal does not require a direct hit from the bowler.
A stumping differs from a run out, which can occur when a batter is out of their ground in circumstances covered by the run out law. Stumpings are particularly common against spin bowling because batters may leave the crease to reach the pitch of the ball.
FAQs
MS Dhoni holds the record with 195 stumpings across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He retired from international cricket in 2019.
Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka ranks second with 139 international stumpings, 56 fewer than Dhoni.
Romesh Kaluwitharana of Sri Lanka and Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh both have 101 stumpings in men’s international cricket.
Dhoni recorded 123 stumpings in One Day Internationals. He also made 38 stumpings in Tests and 34 in T20Is.
No. A stumping and a catch are separate types of dismissal. A stumping occurs when the wicketkeeper legally breaks the wicket while the batter is out of their ground. A catch requires a fielder to complete a legal catch before the ball touches the ground.
No. This ranking covers men’s international cricket only. Women’s international cricket has separate wicketkeeping records, so its figures should be checked independently rather than combined with the men’s ranking.
Conclusion
MS Dhoni leads the men’s international record for most stumpings with 195, followed by Kumar Sangakkara with 139. Romesh Kaluwitharana and Mushfiqur Rahim share third place with 101 each. The leading figures demonstrate the reflexes, anticipation and judgement required behind the stumps, while also showing why catches and other wicketkeeping contributions matter when assessing a player’s complete record.
For accurate comparisons, international stumpings should be counted separately from dismissals in domestic competitions and franchise leagues. The figures in this article refer exclusively to men’s Tests, ODIs and T20Is.