The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most famous cricket league in the world. It’s even more popular than the Cricket World Cup. Many international players dream of playing in the IPL. The league is known for its high-quality games, where top players compete against each other. Over the years, the IPL has also shown us some brilliant fielding moments, thanks to its outstanding fielders.
In this article, we’ll talk about the ten best fielders in IPL history. This list only includes non-wicketkeepers. So far, only three players have taken more than 100 catches in this league. Let’s explore the list of the best fielders in IPL history.
Best Fielders in IPL History
Fielding is an important skill in today’s cricket. It’s no longer ignored or seen as a weak point for players or teams. Modern cricketers focus on fitness and quick movements, making fielding better than ever.
The IPL, the biggest cricket league in the world, has given us some of the best fielders in its history. Many of these players have set the standard for others to follow. Since the IPL began, fielding has become a key part of the game that can make a big difference. The saying “A run saved is a run scored” perfectly explains its importance.
The IPL is almost as competitive as international cricket and has raised the bar for fielding skills. Let’s now take a look at the top fielders in IPL history.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina is a true IPL legend who shined in every aspect of the game. The left-handed player retired in 2022 after playing for two IPL teams during his career.
Raina was a big reason behind CSK’s success, earning the nickname “Mr. IPL.” While his batting was widely praised, his amazing fielding skills often didn’t get the same attention. Raina holds the record for the most catches in the IPL. He ended his career with 109 catches in 205 matches and scored an impressive 5528 runs.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the most active and quick players in cricket today. He never backs away from a challenge, making him a great fielder.
He often fields in important positions like point, long-on, or long-off boundaries to stop key runs. So far, Virat has taken 106 catches in 237 IPL matches and is ready to return for the next season.
Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard was an important player for the Mumbai Indians and helped them win five IPL titles. He played in the league from 2010 to 2022, and after retiring, he now works as a batting consultant for the MI team.
Pollard was famous for taking amazing catches effortlessly and often won games with his excellent fielding. He grabbed 103 catches in 189 matches and was always placed in key fielding positions.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is a talented fielder known for his quick movements in the inner circle, even after dealing with past injuries. He is also dependable in the slip cordon with a solid catch rate.
So far, Rohit has taken 98 catches in his IPL career. He has played for both the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians teams in the league.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is one of the best fielders in cricket. He moves quickly, covering large areas in the inner circle or near the boundary. Jadeja is a complete player who shines in batting, bowling, and fielding.
He rightly earns a spot on this list. So far, he has taken 97 catches in the IPL. He is also one of the few fielders to grab four catches in a single IPL match, a rare achievement done only 10 times since 2008.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan might not be the quickest fielder, but he is reliable and great at catching the ball in the air. He has enjoyed success both in the IPL and in international cricket.
Since the first season, he has played for four different IPL teams. The left-handed batsman has taken 96 catches in 217 matches. He is also the second-highest run-scorer in the league with 6617 runs.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is an exceptional fielder in cricket. He is one of the best fielders the world has ever seen and was unmatched in his era.
Throughout his IPL career, he has taken many important catches that changed the course of matches. AB de Villiers has grabbed 90 catches in 184 matches and also scored an impressive 5162 runs in the IPL.
Manish Pandey
Manish Pandey has been part of the Indian Premier League since its very first season. He has played for seven different teams during his IPL journey and played a key role in KKR’s victory in the 2014 season.
Pandey is an energetic player who contributes with his fielding skills as well. He often fields near the boundary and takes important catches. So far, he has taken 81 catches and scored 3808 runs in 170 IPL matches.
David Warner
David Warner, one of the greatest players in IPL history, is a powerful and explosive Australian batter. As a captain, he has led his team to success and achieved some of the highest scores in the tournament.
Warner is not just a reliable scorer but also an energetic fielder who puts pressure on the opposition. He has taken 81 catches and scored 6397 runs in 176 matches, including four centuries and 61 half-centuries.
Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo, the former West Indian all-rounder, was a lively and entertaining player in the IPL. After retiring in 2022, he took on the role of bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings.
Bravo was a complete cricketer, shining in batting, bowling, and fielding. He ended his career with 80 catches, including some stunning ones near the boundary. In 161 matches, he took 183 wickets and scored 1560 runs.
Best Fielder In IPL
Here is the list of the Top 10 Fielders in the IPL:
Name | Teams | Season | Catches | Mts |
---|---|---|---|---|
Suresh Raina | CSK/GL | 2008-2021 | 109 | 205 |
Virat Kohli | RCB | 2008-2023 | 106 | 237 |
Kieron Pollard | MI | 2010-2022 | 103 | 189 |
Rohit Sharma | DC/MI | 2008-2023 | 98 | 243 |
Ravindra Jadeja | CSK/GL/Kochi/RR | 2008-2023 | 97 | 226 |
Shikhar Dhawan | DC/MI/PBKS/SRH | 2008-2023 | 96 | 217 |
AB de Villiers | DC/RCB | 2008-2021 | 90 | 184 |
Manish Pandey | DC/KKR/LSG/MI/PWI/RCB/SRH | 2008-2023 | 81 | 170 |
David Warner | DC/SRH | 2009-2023 | 81 | 176 |
Darren Bravo | CSL/GL/MI | 2008-2022 | 80 | 161 |