Hands of Steel: India’s Record-Breaking Catch Master in Test Cricket

Catching is probably the most important aspect of any fielder’s role in any format of the game, especially in test cricket, where there are so few catching opportunities in an innings of almost 100 overs, so it’s critical that the fielder Catches the ball and helps the team and bowler’s confidence as a whole. Slip-catching fielders are essential in test cricket. Several great fielders in the slip cordon and alongside the bat have taken countless catches and helped India win numerous test matches. Catches, as they say, win matches. So, let’s take a look at the top Indian Test catchers.

Rahul Dravid (210 catches)

Rahul Dravid is without a doubt India’s best fielder in test cricket. He has taken far more catches than the second individual on this list throughout his test career. This demonstrates that he was trustworthy not only as a batter but also as a close-in catcher. Bowlers may be confident that if a ball comes his way, Rahul Dravid will take the catch 99% of the time, and only a few fielders have inspired such faith.

VVS Laxman (135 catches)

VVS Laxman is the second-finest slip fielder in India. The right-hander, regarded as one of the most skilled batters of his generation, has 135 catches in 134 games. The Hyderabad-born batsman has taken a maximum of four catches in a Test innings. He was a very alert fielder who knew that not many opportunities to catch a ball would come his way, but when they did, he had to take the catch to put India in an advantageous position in the test match.

Sachin Tendulkar (115 catches)

Given the number of innings he fielded and the fact that he spent most of his career in the outfield, it’s surprising he’s not ranked first. Despite this, Sachin Tendulkar was an incredible fielder and one of the more athletic fielders on the Indian team during his tenure. He frequently took tough catches and was highly active in the slip cordon, advising the bowler on where to bowl to the batsman in the middle. Sachin Tendulkar is third on the list, with 115 catches in 200 matches (366 innings) at an average of 0.3 catches per inning.

Virat Kohli (110 catches)

Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli became only the sixth player in the country to complete 100 Test catches during India’s third Test in the 2021/22 South Africa series. 

Sunil Gavaskar (108 catches)

The Master Blaster is followed by former captain Sunil Gavaskar, who finished his career with 108 catches in 125 matches (216 innings) with an average of 0.5 catches per inning. Sunil Gavaskar was one of India’s top fielders in the 1970s and 1980s, as he was the most trustworthy slip fielder at the time. The bowlers understood that if any catches fell to the little maestro, they would almost certainly get a wicket and the Indian team would take the lead in the test match. He was not only the top batter on the team, but also the best fielder, which says a lot. 

Mohammad Azharuddin (105 catches)

Mohammad Azharuddin has played the fewest number of matches, yet he is still ranked fifth, which speaks volumes about what a brilliant fielder he was during his time. He was recognized as a lightning-quick fielder in the slips and even at the boundary ropes, and every fan knew that if a ball came his way, he would grab it with ease. However, he may be replaced on this list by Virat Kohli, who has 110 catches and still has a lot of cricket left in him.