Indian Premier League 2010 will see three wicketkeepers lead their teams on the field; Adam Gilchrist for the Deccan Chargers, MS Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings and Kumar Sangakkara for Kings XI Punjab.
Wicketkeepers form an integral part of teams. However inexperienced, they hold a very critical position in the line-up given they are most involved with the game.
A wicketkeeper is best placed to watch all the action – from as close as possible. Be it having a close look at the pitch, observing a batsman’s body language, or helping bowlers identify key areas on the pitch, glovesmen can offer valuable assistance to the bowlers.
A wicketkeeper could also come in handy in helping set fields; in these days of competitive cricket, every run saved is of vital importance. Wicketkeepers can help position fielders correctly, so the chances of batsmen finding the gap are reduced.
For a captain to be successful, he needs two important things – apart from a good team that is. A captain needs to have a keen eye and a sound head, and the three wicketkeeper-captains in the IPL have proven track records at the international level.
Adam Gilchrist, the best wicketkeeper-batsman of our times, led Australia in six Test matches and 17 ODIs with a 74% overall success record. MS Dhoni had a charmed record as Test captain until recently and has an enviable record in ODIs.
Though Sangakkara has only been on the job in the last year, he has shown he has what it takes to be a successful captain.
All three players are keen students of the game, smart thinkers and play the game in the right spirit. They are also the kind of players who believe in leading by example and back their players.
As ODI captain, Gilchrist averages 34.63, Dhoni averages 59.17, while Sangakkara averages 39.16.
In a format like Twenty20, and especially in IPL where players from around the globe share dressing room space, there could be a flood of thoughts from various quarters.
Dhoni, Gilchrist and Sangakkara each have a steady head on their shoulders and are measured in their decision-making.
Good captains don’t react to circumstances immediately, but play their cards at appropriate times. And Dhoni, Gilchrist and Sangakkara have the skill to call the right cards at the right time.
Records as captains in the IPL
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | S/R | |
| Adam Gilchrist | 24 | 762 | 31.75 |
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| MS Dhoni | 30 | 746 | 41.44 |
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