Wicket Keeping Gloves in cricket in India Overview:

Wicket keeping is considered as one of the most difficult role in cricket as it requires agility, precision and extreme focus on the ball. Wicket keepers are present at the centre and nearest to the batsman. Most crucial gear for a wicket keeper is his gloves.

It not only protects the keepers from the hard ball but also provide them large surface area to catch the ball.

In this article we are going to look upon what are the most important things to keep in mind when players look for wicket keeping gloves:-

Wicket Keeping Gloves Size chart:

Selecting the right size of wicket keeping gloves is the most basic and crucial thing for a keeper as it affects the overall comfort and also affects the precision on judging the ball. If the gloves are not perfectly fit in the hands they may also hurt the hands of the keeper.

There are several measurement points to measure the perfect size of the gloves which are mentioned below :-

Palm width :- It is the measure across the palm excluding the thumb.

Finger length :- It is the measure of the finger length from the centre of the palm to the tip of the middle finger.

Circumference of the hand :- It is the measure of around the palm for taking the accurate measure of the hands. Measured from just below the knuckles.

Apart from this the keeping gloves come in various readymade sizes like :-

Small (SM) which is for junior and younger players who have small hands.

Medium (MED) is the suitable size fit for most of the grown up players.

Large (L) size provides gloves for players who have big hands.

There is also a concept of providing a webbing in the gloves between the index finger and the thumb that helps the player in gripping the ball. It should be taken care that the size of the webbing does not hinder the movement of the hands.

Keeping gloves for junior players:

Nowadays many junior and young players are taking interest in wicket keeping, which has enabled the brands to provide specific kind of gloves for them.

These gloves are made up with special light weight materials without compromising on the cushioning the hands. They also come in bright colours and youth specific designs to attract younger players. They also provide the gloves with adjustable straps so that it is easier for the junior players with growing hands to adjust it according to their hand size.

 Wicket Keeping Gloves Price range :- 

It is also an important factor in purchasing the gloves for wicket keeping. The price of gloves vary widely on various factors like the reputation and fame of the brand, the quality of materials used, amount of cushioning and support and also the designs and customising.

There are entry level gloves which come under Rs 2000 to 3000 rupees which are made for the entry level or casual players and has basic usage.

The intermediate players use gloves in the price range of 5000 to 6000 rupees that has better cushioning and quality of materials. The standard players use the gloves in the price range of 8000 to 10,000 rupees which are also considered as premium gloves that have advanced padding systems to provide better safety for the players.

There are also custom and limited edition gloves present apart from these which are used by international players and are highly exclusive. Their price depend on its exclusivity and designs.

Wicket Keeping Gloves Brands:

There are various brands that provide cricket equipment and which also include keeping gloves. The reputation and stature of a brand depends on the quality of products that it makes and also the amount of players using the products of the brand. Some of the reputed brands that make wicket keeping gloves along with other Cricket equipment are SG (Sanspareils Greenlands), DSC, puma, Grey Nichols, etc. Players should keep in mind their needs and affordability while selecting the keeping gloves.

This was all about wicket keeping gloves in cricket apart from the gloves and other equipment, wicket keeping requires physical training and endurance. Wicket keeper is the most active and busy player in the fielding side, who always has to keep an eye on the ball and also has to be agile and fit. Keeper always has to risk his hands as many of the former players have caused deformity in their fingers because of years of keeping.