Top 5 Most Successful Fielders in IPL History
Cricket generally portrays batters and bowlers as the gladiators who turned the outcome of the match in their team’s favour. However, fielders also play an eminent role in winning the matches. The Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception has seen many great fielders who have turned the tide of the match. Let’s take a look at the top 5 most successful fielders in IPL history.
1. Virat Kohli (114 catches in 252 matches)
Virat Kohli has been playing in the IPL since the inaugural season in 2008. In his debut season, King Kohli was a bit chubby. But this never had any impact on his on-field performance. He is an astute batter and world-class fielder who rarely drops any catch.
As time passed, King Kohli centred his focus towards fitness. Since then he has set a bar of new level of fitness. Virat Kohli has played 252 matches and taken 114 catches, which is the most in the history of the IPL. In an inning, he has taken a maximum of 3 catches.
The King Kohli has been one of the most agile fielders in IPL History as well as in International Cricket and credit should be given to his fitness and quality of skills he bring on the table.
King Kohli transformation have been surreal especially post 2009 IPL tournament where he focused on his fitness all that happened after a quick realization which he stated ” I saw myself in the mirror couldn’t recongnize myself, and said to myself in disgust this is not a body for International Cricketer next moment I started making systematic changes in my personality where I curb my diet”
We have seen what happened next chubby Virat Kohli was transformed into fittest version and that Cheeku skin was no longer visible.
Kohli post gaining fitness absolutely dominated International Cricket, and Fielding is one testament to it.
Be it showcasing brilliant catching on the field or showcasing dominance otherwise he was always at the forefront and his brilliant records in the biggest of stages is a brilliant example to it.
Kohli have been phenomenal in all three formats of the game and his batting astute combined with brilliant fielding talks a lot about his brilliant consistency on the table.
Kohli is not just a phenomenal cricketer but perfect master in the field where he won games for India in both batting and fielding domain to the best of his ability.
2. . Ravindra Jadeja (110 catches in 240 matches)
Fondly known as ‘Sir Jadeja’ is a nightmare for the batters who try to sneak a run when a ball goes to him. He is well-renowned for his run-saving ability. Even the ICC has made a video on Jadeja’s fielding skills with the title – ‘Ravindra Jadeja: The best fielder in the world?’. However, his catching stats in the IPL don’t represent true potential.
Ravindra Jadeja has played a total of 240 matches since IPL 2008 and has taken 110 catches. His best performance while fielding is 4 catches, which is the best among the Top 5 players with the most number of catches.
When it comes to fielding no one come closer to ace all rounder as he is simply exceptional when it comes to executing fielding drills which include Catching, Run out and throw downs.
There is a popular saying in Commentators Arena “Once Ball is in Ravindra Jadeja’s arena make sure you don’t run unnecessarily otherwise he will not let you settle at the crease on most occasion you will lose your wicket “.
3. . Suresh Raina (109 catches in 205 matches)
If the ball is in the air and Suresh Raina is under the ball then the batsman starts walking back to the pavilion as he never drops catches. He is termed as ‘Mr. IPL’ for his consistency in batting and fielding. It’s not just about Raina’s catching skill that makes him a great fielder he also possesses exceptional skill to stop the ball from reaching the boundary rope.
The south-paw has played a total of 205 matches in the IPL from 2008 to 2021 and took 109 catches. After IPL 2021 he took retirement from all forms of cricket. His best fielding performance was 3 catches in an inning.
“China- Thala” Suresh Raina is always synonymous with fielding and catching and his ability to control the pace of the game, through his brilliant tactics makes him perfect stalwart in the game.
Chennai Super Kings have always showered love on his China Thala whenever he stepped on to the field in yellow jersey.
He has delivered too with his performances for Yellow Army.
His Supreme Fitness is another reason why he is so good all around the park.
4. Kieron Pollard (103 catches in 189 matches):
Legendary West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard has played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL from 2010 to 2022. His match-finishing skill with the bat is well-known among cricket fans and so is his wonderful fielding skill.
Pollard is a tall man with a bulky body. His height has given him a lot of advantage while fielding. The destructive batter has taken 103 catches in 189 matches. His best performance while fielding is 2 catches.
Considering his Bulky size, he must be the last person to even think he could be agile as well but Pollard is iconic in a way as he covers long boundaries and his execution have been up to the mark.
Pollard Contribution for Mumba Indians have helped them big time to make name for themselves.
5. Rohit Sharma (102 catches in 257 matches)
The Indian ODI team captain Rohit Sharma is known as ‘Hitman’ for his aggressive batting. But he is an astute fielder too. Sharma played for the Deccan Chargers before moving to Mumbai Indians. He has won 5 IPL titles as a captain for MI. Sharma has taken 102 catches in 257 matches and his best fielding performance was 3 catches in a match.
These are the top 5 most successful fielders in the history of IPL. Although these players has made a name for themselves in fielding but there are other world-class fielders too in the IPL. The likes of AB De Villers, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum, and Hardik Pandya are also some of the best in the business.
Rohit’s Fielding have been top notch always with his brilliant catching in marquee event he has done wonders big time in Marquee event.
| Rank | Player | IPL Matches | Catches | Best Catches in an Innings | Key Fielding Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 252 | 114 | 3 | Agility, athleticism, sharp catching and fitness |
| 2 | Ravindra Jadeja | 240 | 110 | 4 | Run-saving ability, direct hits, catching and quick reflexes |
| 3 | Suresh Raina | 205 | 109 | 3 | Safe catching, boundary coverage and athleticism |
| 4 | Kieron Pollard | 189 | 103 | 2 | Boundary coverage, height advantage and catching |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | 257 | 102 | 3 | Safe catching, positioning and consistency |
Other Notable Performances
| Player | Known For |
|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | Athletic catches, exceptional reflexes and ground fielding |
| Faf du Plessis | Fitness, spectacular catches and boundary fielding |
| Brendon McCullum | Agility, diving catches and athletic fielding |
| Hardik Pandya | Athleticism, catching and throwing accuracy |
Top 5 by IPL catches: Virat Kohli (114), Ravindra Jadeja (110), Suresh Raina (109), Kieron Pollard (103), and Rohit Sharma (102).
