Which player has the Most Catches in Cricket History?

There’s a very common phrase in cricket, “Catches Win Matches”, which means that every catch, even the slightest of chances, has the power to change the result of the match. And we’ve seen that on so many occasions, where a catch out of nowhere has changed the course of the game. But it is not always about the spectacular, but also about efficiency and consistency. Players can take an unbelievable grab occasionally, but it’s those players who complete catches without dropping any who truly make a difference in the outcome of matches. While the spectacular catches may grab headlines, it's the routine, reliable fielding that forms the backbone of a successful team. 

So, in this article by ZAP, let’s look at some of the best fielders in the world who have taken the most catches in international cricket history, in Tests, ODIs and T20s. 

Most Catches in Test Cricket:

Rahul Dravid – Most Catches in Test Cricket History (210 Catches in 164 Games)

Rahul Dravid, known as ‘The Wall’ for his exceptional batting ability was also a brilliant fielder on the pitch. Having spent some time behind the stumps as a keeper, Dravid’s sharp concentration and ability to stay focused for long periods clubbed with his steady hands and quick reflexes allowed him to take difficult catches that others might miss. Taking 210 catches in 164 games, Rahul Dravid is the player with the most catches in Test Cricket. 

Mahela Jayawardene follows closely with 205 catches in 205 matches. Jacques Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders, has 200 catches in 166 games. Ricky Ponting has taken 196 catches in 196 matches. Joe Root, the only current player on the list, has already completed 193 catches in 140 Test Matches.

Also Read: Cricket Fielding Techniques

Most Catches in ODI  Cricket:

Mahela Jayawardene – Most Catches in ODI Cricket History (218 Catches in 448 Games)

Mahela Jayawardene leads the list of players with the most catches in ODI cricket with 218 catches in 443 innings, showcasing his reliability and sharp reflexes in the field, often positioned in the slip or close-catching positions. Ricky Ponting has taken 160 catches in 372 innings and is renowned for his aggressive and athletic fielding style. He was often seen making spectacular catches in the outfield. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin follows closely with 156 catches in 332 innings. Virat Kohli, with 151 catches in 289 innings, combines his excellent athleticism and quick reactions to make crucial matches. He is often fielding in the covers or the outfield regions where the chances of the ball going it is very high. Ross Taylor, who has 142 catches in 232 innings also has the highest catch per game ratio, which shows how safe his pair of hands are. 

Most Catches in T20I Cricket:

David Miller – Most Catches in T20I Cricket History (77 Catches in 116 Games)

David Miller has the safest pair of hands when it comes to modern cricket. He is the player with the most catches in T20I cricket taking up 77 catches in 116 matches. Miller usually fields in key fielding positions like long-on and long-off, where his quick movements and safe hands are crucial. Taking complete advantage of his athleticism, his ability to position himself perfectly makes him one of the best fielders in the shorter format of the game.

Martin Guptill, with 68 catches in 122 games, is known for his safe hands and athletic fielding, frequently seen making good catches in the outfield. Tim Southee, with 65 catches in 123 T20I matches, is often seen taking catches in the deep. Mohammad Nabi has completed 64 catches in 121 matches and is known for his and reliability in the field. George Dockrell with 63 catches in 136 matches has been a consistent performer for Ireland.

Most Catches in International Cricket History:

Mahela Jayawardene – Most Catches in International Cricket History (440 Catches in 652 Games)

Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for the player with the most catches in International Cricket history with 440 grabs. He was an outstanding fielder known for his sharp reflexes and quick thinking. He usually fielded in the slip fielding  position, where he was very reliable because of his safe hands and ability to anticipate the ball's direction.

Following Mahela Jayawardene are Australia’s Ricky Ponting with 364 catches in 560 matches, known for his sharp reflexes and excellent hand-eye coordination. Ross Taylor has the highest catches per innings ratio of 0.642 among these top players and has taken 351 grabs in 450 games. Jacques Kallis also makes the list with 338 catches in 519 matches, which clearly show how good of a fielder he was along with being a GOAT all rounder. Rahul Dravid, famed for his technique and concentration, completes the top five with 334 catches in 509 international games.

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