Let’s face it—wicketkeepers don’t always get the recognition they deserve. With the attention on the thundering batters or the on-fire fast bowlers, it is usually the calm, cool, and collected guy behind the stumps who wins the match, without the hype. By 2025, the role of a wicketkeeper had changed beyond belief. The wicketkeeper is no longer just catching balls or trying to avoid getting run out. He is finishing innings, making fielding decisions, and changing the direction of games.

So, who is the wicketkeeper on top of their game for this year? Let’s find out.

1. Mohammad Rizwan – Pakistan’s Mr. Reliable

If there is one player you want behind the stumps and opening your innings, it is Rizwan. The man does not stop. Whether it is a rough knock in tough conditions or a rapid stumping off a spinner, Rizwan puts his heart and soul into it. In 2025, he will still be Pakistan’s man. However, the real standout feature is his work rate. You can see it in every dive, each sprint, and all the fist-pumps.

2. Jos Buttler – Calm, Cool, and Dangerous

Jos Buttler is the smart wicketkeeper-batsman available! He can make complex tasks easy to think of. Need a player to chase down 15 runs an over? Send in Jos. Need a player to keep for 50 overs with perfection? He can. He is not a player. He is the hub of England’s white-ball cricket, and in 2025, he is still providing us with surprising moments.

3. Rishabh Pant – The Comeback King

After that scary accident in 2022, many people wondered if Pant would ever be the same. Well, he is not. He is even better. In 2025, Pant is back on fire. He has cleaned up his game, but still has that edge—that unpredictability that keeps bowlers nervous. Behind the stumps, he is as quick as ever. With the bat? Still wild, still dangerous, still Rishabh.

4. Quinton de Kock – Class in Every Shot

He has stepped away from the tests, but de Kock is far from done. The South African legend is still a major threat in ODIs and T20s. Watching him keep is like watching art. Smooth, sharp, no drama. And when he gets going with the bat, good luck stopping him. He’s the kind of player who makes cricket look easy, and that’s not easy to do.

5. Sanju Samson – Making Every Chance Count

Sanju’s journey has not been straightforward. For years, he floated in and out of India’s squad. But in 2025, he is finally getting the backing he deserves. He is not just playing—he is owning the role. His batting is elegant, and his glove work has improved massively. What’s more? He is mature. He has become someone you can depend on, and that’s showing in his performances.

6. Alex Carey – Australia’s Quiet Warrior

You won’t find Carey making headlines for stunning, but look at any Australian win in a tight game, and he is often in the middle of it. He reads the game well, does not make flashy mistakes, and knows when to dig in. His keeping is textbook clean, and he has proven himself a solid anchor with the bat in crunch moments.

7. Nicholas Pooran – Caribbean Flair at Its Best

Pooran plays the game like a highlight reel. His keeping? Full of acrobatic dives and reflex catches. His batting? Explosive, daring, and unpredictable. In 2025, he continues to be one of the West Indies’ biggest game-changers. He may not always be consistent, but when he fires—he takes the game away in minutes.

8. KL Rahul – The Ultimate Team Man

KL Rahul is not a full-time keeper, but India loves having that option up its sleeve. And honestly? He does the job pretty well. Rahul allows the team to slot in an extra batter or bowler, and he rarely drops the ball—literally. Whether he’s opening or batting in the middle order, Rahul is all about team balance. And that’s what makes him invaluable.

9. Devon Conway – New Zealand’s all-round asset 

Originally known just for his classy batting, Conway has taken on the gloves and done justice to the job. He is not energetic, but understands and does the basics well. For New Zealand, having someone like him with experience batting top order and keeping wickets is a great asset. He provides great balance and flexibility, and there is real value in that in modern cricket.

10. Mushfiqur Rahim – The Legend That Still has it

Mushy does not play every match anymore, but every time he does, he reminds us exactly how much experience counts. He has seen it all. The keeping is still good, but the mind is even better. He talks bowlers through it, sees angles that no one else thinks of, and plays match-winning innings when the team is in trouble. In 2025, still be very much involved with Bangladesh’s cricket.

Final thoughts: Best Wicketkeepers are the most valuable players 

So that is our list of the best wicketkeepers in 2025. They are not just catching balls and stamping. They are constructing innings, elevating their teams, and making things happen without ever getting the credit! Cricket is changing almost every day, but one thing is certain—the wicketkeeper has a bigger role now and in the future. These are the guys who have the special privilege of leading that change.

Wicketkeepers are not just catching balls—they are winning games.

Don’t miss our list of the Top 10 Best Finishers in T20 Cricket to see which players finishing matches with style.