Top 10 Cricketers with Most Catches In ODI

Fielding in cricket does not get as much attention as batting and bowling, but it is an integral part of the game. In cricket, “Catches Win Matches” is a very common phrase. Over the years the course of fielding has changed the dynamics of the game. On many occasions, a catch from nowhere has shifted the momentum of the game. However, efficiency and consistency are important.

In modern-day cricket fielding is an essential part of the game. Fielders with remarkable catching talents are valuable assets, greatly contributing to their team’s success. For the very same reason, the players need to be fit to showcase their best on the field for the country or in franchise cricket. 

In the article, we dive into cricketers with the most catches in ODI

10. Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)

Muttiah Muralidaran is one of the finest spinners of all time. The highest wicket-taker in test match cricket has been a true legend of the game. The off-spinner has picked 800 wickets in the longest format of the game. It is the highest by any bowler in a single format of the game. The record seems to be unachievable as of now. Over a career spanning 18 years, he played 350 ODIs.

The spinner after topping the list for most wickets in test match cricket, also lists in the most catches in ODI format. The Sri Lankan legend has taken 130 catches in his prolonged career. Along with that, Muralidaran has a total of 203 catches across all formats. He is the only bowler on the list for the most catches in the ODI format of the game.

9. Younis Khan (Pakistan)

The former Pakistan captain has been a sensational middle-order batter for the Men in Green. Younis Khan was considered the backbone of Pakistan’s cricket. He had a king career of 15 years playing for the country and featured in 265 ODIs. Over the years he has scored 7249 runs in ODI cricket with a decent average of 31.24. He was a crucial member of Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup-winning team.

Except for scoring runs Younis Khan was an excellent fielder for the Men in Green. He had a safe pair of hands in the field. This is the reason he has 130 catches in ODIs and ranks 9th in the highest catches in ODIs. Younis Khan made 281 catches in all international formats.

Also Read: Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in ODI’s

8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time. The South African is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test match cricket. He remains one of the stalwarts of cricket and has the most man of the matches to his name in the longest format of the game.

The Protea over his 328-match career has been the backbone of the side till 2014. He has been an amazing performer in the field as well, as the fans know about the fielding stories of South Africa over the years. Kallis has taken 131 catches in his prolonged career and has a total of 338 catches in international cricket, showcasing his exceptional fielding abilities.

7. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand)

The former New Zealand captain was one of the finest batters of his era. The stylish left-hander is the first Kiwi batter to pass 7000 Test runs. He is also the team’s longest-serving and most successful captain. Fleming led the side to victory in 28 test matches and won the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy. It was also their first ICC trophy.

Fleming appeared in 280 one-day internationals, scoring 8,007 runs. He has taken 133 catches in his career and was known as a prolific slip catcher, with 306 catches in the international format of the game. Fleming is currently the head coach of the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

6. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batter of all time. The ‘God of Cricket’ had a career of 24 years which is an impossible milestone for any cricketer to achieve. He has the record for scoring the most international hundreds to his name. The former India captain has scored 100 international centuries. The nearest to him is Virat Kohli with 81 tons. Sachin participated in 463 matches for India, showcasing unparalleled consistency, and scored 18,426 runs in ODI cricket.

Not only he was a run scorer but also an excellent fielder for the side. Tendulkar took 140 catches and it makes him the third-highest Indian player with the most catches in the 50-over format of the game. He has taken a total of 255 catches in international cricket.

4. Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

Ross Taylor is the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand in test match cricket and the highest in ODI format. The Kiwi batter was the most dependable cricketer for the side in the middle order. Taylor is the most-capped player for New Zealand in international cricket, featuring in 438 matches across all three formats for the Black Caps. He surpassed Daniel Vettori to achieve the milestone.

Taylor was an excellent fielder throughout his career. The Kiwi was known for his ability to make key catches under pressure and made himself one of New Zealand’s most dependable fielders. He lists in the fifth position for the most catches in ODI format. Ross Taylor has taken 142 catches in his 236 games in the f50-over format of the game.

4. Mohammed Azharuddin (India)

Mohammed Azharuddin was regarded as one of the world’s top ODI batters and one of the greatest of his generation. His stylish batting and looks made him a global star among the fans. He had a massive fan following during his playing days. He scored 9,378 runs in ODIs at an average of 36.92. He appeared in 99 Tests and 334 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for the Men in Blue.

Azharuddin was known for his outstanding fielding abilities and had taken 156 catches in ODIs and was ranked third in the world and the Indian player with the most catches in the ODI format. Despite all the controversies of match-fixing and bans he has been an absolute amazing fielder for the side.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

The ‘Chase Master’ of modern-day cricket, is the best batter in the white ball format of the game. Virat Kohli is known for his aggressive approach on and off the field. His consistency in white ball cricket has redefined the game with his capacity to perform in high-pressure scenarios of the game. The former India skipper has been a match-winner for the side over the years in the 50-over format.

He is the third-highest run-getter in the ODI format and just 271 runs behind the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. Kohli has taken 154 catches and it makes him the second-highest Indian player with the most catches in the ODI format. In T20I format he has taken 54 catches. This places him 9th on the all-time list for this format.

Also Read: List of ICC Champions Trophy Winners Till Now

2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting was one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He was a fantastic batter of his era. But he was also known as one of the best fielders the game has ever seen. The former Aussie skipper had quick reflexes, and his safe hands and aggressive fielding made him the most valuable asset to the team. He was also known as an exceptional slip fielder in test match cricket.

Ponting played 375 ODIs and he took 160 catches in the same format. It is also the second highest in the world ranking for most catches in ODI. He also led Australia from 2002 to 2012, guiding the squad to countless triumphs and catches. He is the only skipper to have won two ICC ODI World Cup trophies.

1. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene was the backbone of Sri Lankan cricket from the 2000s to 2015. He along with Kumar Sangakkara stitched many beautiful partnerships during their careers. He led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2007 World Cup but lost to a better Australian side. Similarly, he scored a hundred in the following 2011 World Cup final but they lost once again.

Apart from scoring runs, Mahela was an excellent fielder. owns the record for most ODI catches in history. He has taken 218 catches in just 448 matches, showcasing his excellent fielding skills and consistency. Additionally, he has a catch-per-innings ratio of 0.49. This ranks him among the greatest fielder of all time as well.

Player name	Team	Catches in ODI	Matches Played
Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	218	448
Ricky Ponting	Australia	160	375
Virat Kohli	India	157	298
Mohammed Azharuddin	India	156	334
Ross Taylor	New Zealand	142	236
Sachin Tendulkar	India	140	463
Stephen Fleming	New Zealand	133	280
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	131	328
Younis Khan	Pakistan	130	265
Muttiah Muralidaran	Srilanka	130	350