Martin guptil
FieldingMartin Guptill’s ly wins matches but also World Cups. Whether it’s Kaif’s catch against Pakistan or Surya Kumar’s in the World Cup, some players have changed the meaning of fielding in this batting-dominant sport. From Martin Guptill’s rocket throw to John Rhodes’ iconic dive, today we’ll talk about these top fielders. The first player on this list has the ability to change matches by hitting direct hits from the boundary. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, as an opener, was known not only for scoring runs but also for his lightning-fast reflexes and bullet throws. Martin, who took 222 catches in 405 matches, has been beneficial for the Black Caps even without batting. The captain’s fielding has been even more next-level in international events. In the 2011 World Cup, he dismissed AB de Villiers and in 2019, he dismissed MS Dhoni from square leg. Guptill’s direct hit made all Indian fans cry that day. The captain’s fielding impact is generally underrated, but his numbers tell a different story. With over 250 dismissals across formats, Guptill took New Zealand’s fielding to a different level. In Knockout tournaments, any batsman would think twice before taking an extra run against the guptil. While Guptill is known for his long-range throws, our next player is renowned for taking every catch. I’m talking about the late Andrew Simmons, who never dropped a catch on the field with his safest pair of hands. This is significant because, for a big man, his swift movement on the field made him even more dangerous. Robino Thapa’s run-out with a crushing movement in the 2007 T20 World Cup is one such example. It is a player everyone will always remember: Simmons set a different standard for fielding with his 150-plus dismissals. Although he played only 26 Test matches, Simmons’ slip fielding is quite untenable. Had he played more Test matches, Simmons could have become one of the top five best fielders. Our next player has led the fielding revolution in South African cricket since John T. Rhodes. I’m talking about Herschelle Gibbs, who hit six sixes in six balls in the 2007 ODI World Cup. Gibbs was not only a dangerous opener but also made headlines on the field. Gibbs, a catcher every two innings, has taken a total of 210 catches in his career. Whether stopping runs at cover point or surprising the crowd with catches at the boundary lights, Gibbs made every single movement look as easy as routine. But his most lethal weapon was his diving at backward point to stop runs, causing opposition batsmen to take aerial routes and lose their wickets. Furthermore, he was among the top 10 players with the most run-outs after the 1999 World Cup. His speed and anticipation made Gibbs the best fielder of the 1990s and 2000s. Similar to Gibbs, our next player also led India’s fielding revolution. With speed, skill, and excellent reflexes, Riana is also known as India’s John Rhodes, and this isn’t just me; John Rhodes himself said, “You remind me of me.” John’s composure was instrumental in turning the match. His most famous one, the 2006 ODI in Multan, where he dismissed Kamran Akmal, was the one where he dismissed him. But in my opinion, his greatest fielding moment came in the 2016 T20 World Cup. It was when he dismissed Ross Taylor that Riana ended his career with 167 catches and 34 runs out. His fast reaction made him a legend. Rian’s on-field presence was so strong that taking extra runs was always risky. Perhaps that’s why, as a fielder, he has the second-highest number of dismissals in the IPL. He is England’s most successful fielder. He comes in at number six on this list. I’m talking about Paul Collingwood. He may not have been as prominent in batting and bowling, but in fielding, he surpassed all Englishmen. His record of 218 catches and 61 catches per innings is a testament to his brilliance. His best came on July 19, 2005, when Matthew Hayden cut a short ball with full force. It seemed like he was sure to score four runs, but then Collingwood He defied gravity and took a stunning catch at point. This catch by Colling Wood became the defining moment of the match. His command of the field earned Colling Wood the MBE, and under his captaincy, he led England to their first ICC Trophy win. Whether in the slips or at point, his sharp reflexes and reliable hands have made him a consistent and respected fielder. Our next player is known for his one-handed catches. I’m talking about former South African captain Faf du Plessis. At the age of 40, he has set a standard for fielding. We see examples of this every day in tournaments like the IPL, CPL, and A2. For example, in 2024, his catch of Mitchell Sutner was one of the best catches of the year. He finished his international career with a stellar performance. He has taken 168 catches in 2019 and was the second-highest catcher in the 2019 World Cup, earning him the 2019 South African Cricketer of the Year award. Faf’s career has seen not one but many match-defining moments.
whether it be that catch at slip off Sri Lanka’s Mathews or his one-handed catch while running back in the 2024 S20I. This 40-year-old fielder is outperforming everyone at the world level. His sharp reflexes and ability to field on the boundary have always kept the opposition under pressure. Next up is Australia’s legendary captain, Ricky Ponting. He was not just a phenom batsman but also a master fielder. Imagine world cricket’s top batsman and captain fielding at short leg or silly point with his helmet on. He spent a large part of his career like this. Ponting took 364 catches in his career, making him the second-highest player to do so. But his greatest fielding asset was his direct-hit run-out technique. In 560 matches, he took 80 catches. run outs
no other fielder has yet reached this figure.
not even John T. Rhodes
in his Test career, Ponting has taken many catches at second slip.
He has ended many players’ innings by taking a half step and stretching his body to a full, one-handed catch.
His fielding at point became the highlight of every match.
Its consistency
Versatile and spectacular catches have made him one of the best fielders in cricket history.our next player is not only Mr. 360 in batting but he is also all-round magical in fielding.
From slip catches to catching one-handed
beauties in the deep, he has been showing his magic at every position.
His 248 international
catches and an impressive
His innings average of 64 catches is a testament to his brilliance. AB Davies’s sharp flexibility and anticipation make him a complete fielder. His best fielding moment came in the 2018 IPL, where Alex Hales’s brilliant shot was about to be delivered. But how was AB’s catch going to come out of his hands? That moment stunned not only Virat but even the crowd. This catch was also considered the best catch of the 2018 IPL. AB Davies, who holds the highest catch-to-win ratio in the IPL, has become one of cricket’s best fielders due to his consistency and brilliance. Whether fielding in the slips or at deep mid-wicket, AB Davies has always been a dangerous fielder for the opposition. In terms of fielding, our next player, AB Davies, is one of the best fielders in modern cricket. His speed, reflexes, and accurate throws make him one of the best fielders in modern cricket. I’m talking about him, Sir. Ravindra Jadeja has created a new brand in the world with his fielding, with 148 catches and 41 direct runouts. On a podcast, a former Australian player revealed that his team used to predict India’s bowling attack based on Jadeja’s field position. If Jadeja was at deep long-off, full-length balls were expected, and if he was at backward square leg, slow balls were expected. While he has had many of his best fielding moments, his run-out of Usman Khawaja in 2019 and his catch of Warner in the 2020 Test against New Zealand still give Indian fans chills. His accurate throwing ability and athleticism set him apart from all other fielders, whether in the inner circle or on the boundary line. Jadeja has the ability to change the momentum of a match with his stops and catches. The reason for his 103 catches in the IPL is that Judges are in high demand in franchising.
Before we go to the last player, we support Mohammad Kaif for an
ongoing change.
Not with his batting or bowling.
Kaif has changed many matches with his brilliant fielding.
It is because of his efforts that we see players like Hardik and Surya today.
But moving on
Some debates in cricket never end, but one question on which all expert
and fans agree is who is the best fielder of all time, and the answer is the same.
John T. Rhodes was the first South
African to take more than 100 wickets in his international career.
John T. Rhodes is considered the best fielder ever because of his
acrobatics and breathtaking runouts.
Not only this, because of his unmatched fielding, backward point is still called John t mcorner. His most iconic
movement came in 1992. In the World Cup, when he turned the match around by running out Inzamam-ul-Haq with a direct hit, and even more so, in the 1999 World Cup, he was in the news for his airborne catch of Mark Ennam. With 51 runouts in ODIs, John is only the second player to have made more than 50 runouts in his career. Even today, at the age of 55, Rhodes’ fitness is top-notch and he is in high demand to become the fielding coach of every franchise. That is why he is the best fielder of all time, who not only excelled on the field but also off the field, gave recognition to a new generation of players