Most Successful Fielders in IPL
We often tend to forget that cricket is a game of three departments – batting, bowling, and perhaps the most important of the lot, fielding. ‘Catches win matches‘ is a phrase that is very true in the case of Indian Premier League. Often we have seen teams win crucial games because of some fantastic catches. Whether it is Chris Lynn’s stunner against Royal Challengers Bangalore or Suresh Raina’s brilliant effort in the slips against Kolkata Knight Riders, the tournament has no dearth of spectacular catches.
Similarly, we have also seen some brilliant run-outs. However, more than the one-offs, the regular performers in the field become an asset to their side. In the shortest format of the game where matches are often decided by very few margin of runs, saving even a single run might go a long way. To add to that, it also motivates the rest of the players to give their one hundred percent on the field. Hence, a good fielder is a must in any IPL side, and thankfully, we have quite a few superb fielders in IPL.
5 Successful Fielders in IPL
Let us have a look at the List of top 5 Best Fielders in IPL:
#1 AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Successful Fielders in IPL: Though he will turn 36 years of age in a few weeks, not many will be surprised to see that he is the first mention on this years. Through the years, AB de Villiers has been an amazing player for Royal Challengers Bangalore. But more than, he has been an asset for the tournament itself, treating the cricket enthusiasts with his exquisite shots and acrobatics in the field. He is one of the most consistent fielders of the tournament. In the 155 IPL games he has featured in thus far, de Villiers has taken 95 catches. He also has 14 run-outs to his name. The South African batsman has a very impressive dismissals per game number of 0.75.
Read More: Best Fielder for CSK in IPL
#2 Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
Best Fielders in IPL: Like de Villiers, Hardik Pandya is someone with a wide variety of shots and even more types of jumps and dives. Pandya has been a find of the IPL. He is a boon not only for the Mumbai Indians side, but for the Indian cricket team as well. A perfect asset for the shortest format of the game, Pandya is useful in all three departments of the game. Fielding is perhaps his forte, as the athletic all-rounder loves to pull off blinders. In 67 matches, he has taken 44 catches. He has also inflicted 4 run-outs, taking his dismissals per game number to 0.72. It is one of the best dismissals per game number amongst a non-wicket-keeper, who has played in the tournament for a considerable while.
Read More: Best Fielder for KXIP in IPL
#3 David Miller (Rajasthan Royals)
Successful Fielders in IPL: One might put a strong case, stating that unlike de Villiers and Pandya, David Miller hasn’t been enormously successful in the IPL. Barring a season or two, Miller hasn’t got much to show for. However, that doesn’t take any inch of credit for the spectacular work he has done for the franchises in the field. In 82 matches, the South African has taken 53 catches. Like Pandya, he too has inflicted 4 run-outs. He has dismissals per game number of 0.70. The ex-Kings XI Punjab batsman will ply his trade for Rajasthan Royals this season.
Read More: Best Fielder for KKR in IPL
#4 Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
Best Fielders in IPL: Chennai Super Kings is the most consistent team in IPL, and they are blessed with some of the most consistent players. South African batsman Faf du Plessis is one of them, who is consistent not just with the bat but in the field as well. The third South African in our list, du Plessis has played 71 matches in the competition thus far. In those matches, he was responsible for 48 dismissals in total. 43 of them were catches, some of them being beyond the limitations of a human being. The remaining 5 were run-outs, which were fast and accurate. His dismissals per game figure is very impressive – 0.67.
Read More: RCB Best Fielders in IPL
#5 Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)
Successful Fielders in IPL: Just like AB de Villiers, Kieron Pollard is someone who is ageing like fine wine. The big West Indian all-rounder is getting better day by day in the field. The IPL has witnessed some unimaginable catches in the last 12 years, and quite a few of them were taken by Pollard. An important member of the Mumbai Indians franchise for his all-round abilities, he has won them a few games with his fielding efforts. The one that perhaps stands out is the blinder he took in the 2014 season against Rajasthan Royals. Off Harbhajan Singh’s bowling, the big Caribbean took a catch running back from the boundary ropes after throwing the ball back to play.
Read More: Best Fielders for SRH
