MS Dhoni given 3rd rank by Heinrich Klaasen. Image Credits: AFP
Former legendary Indian captain MS Dhoni is regarded as one of the finest wicketkeepers globally due to his esteemed success in white-ball cricket. However, South African explosive batter Heinrich Klaasen begs to differ.
Dhoni is worshipped in India for winning three ICC titles as captain. His unorthodox wicketkeeping skills and sharp presence of mind behind the stumps have been equally praised.
But apparently, not everyone is a fan of CSK’s ‘Thala.’
Heinrich Klaasen rates MS Dhoni lower
Meanwhile, the inaugural season of ETPL 2026 is set to begin on August 26 and explosive South African wicketkeeper batter Heinrich Klaasen is set to represent Rotterdam Dockers led by Faf du Plessis.
Before the tournament began, Klaasen participated in a blind ranking challenge to rate iconic wicketkeepers in T20I cricket. He placed his fellow South African AB de Villiers right at the top of the list, followed by Jos Buttler.
Interestingly, Klaasen chose to place Dhoni at the third spot, followed by Adam Gilchrist and himself.
This came as a shock to Indian fans who are used to seeing MS Dhoni rank at the top of the wicketkeepers list. But Heinrich Klaasen had a different point of view as he rated ABD and Buttler ahead of Dhoni.
Heinrich Klaasen's 5 best wicketkeepers of all time:
- Ab De Villiers
- Jos Buttler
- MS Dhoni
- Adam Gilchrist
- Heinrich Klassen
Also Read - Ex-RCB Star Feels AB de Villiers Was More Lethal Than Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni; Explains Why
Is ABD better than Dhoni?
That being said, Heinrich Klaasen’s ranking doesn’t clearly pass the number Test. AB de Villiers was undoubtedly an explosive hitter with over 5000 runs in the IPL at an average of nearly 40. More importantly, AB's ability to change games instantly was extraordinary.
But when it comes to wicketkeeping, MS Dhoni clearly has an edge. He also has over 5400 runs in the IPL at an average of 38. In T20Is, he finished with 91 dismissals, including a world-record 34 stumpings.
ABD, meanwhile, was primarily a batter who occasionally kept wickets. His wicketkeeping was good, but it wasn't comparable to Dhoni's longevity and expertise behind the stumps.
Hence, when it comes to being the best batter alongside being the best wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni edges past AB de Villiers in T20 cricket.
Is MS Dhoni the greatest wicketkeeper ever?
It is a debate that has no easy answer, but the former India captain certainly has one of the strongest cases. Dhoni made a name for himself for his lightning-fast stumpings, sharp glove work and ability to read the game from behind the wickets.
He also transformed the role of the wicketkeeper-batter, scoring over 17,000 international runs as a remarkable finisher. He captained India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, becoming the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball trophies.
Overall, Dhoni may not be the undisputed No.1, but he is undoubtedly among the greatest wicketkeepers cricket has ever produced.
Also Read - ETPL 2026 Schedule, Teams, Squads, Live Streaming, Live Telecast In India, Venues
