Fielding in cricket is often an underappreciated art. While batsmen and bowlers often steal the spotlight with their flashy performances, fielders play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of matches. Exceptional fielding can change the momentum of a game in an instant, turning potential runs into wickets and ensuring victory for their team.
Throughout cricket’s rich history, certain players have stood out for their extraordinary fielding abilities. Being the best fielder in cricket history is not just about catching or stopping balls, it’s also making split-second decisions under pressure.
List Of Top 10 Best Fielder In The World
Below is the list of top 10 best fielders in cricket:
Jonty Rhodes – Best Fielder in Cricket History
Jonty Rhodes is celebrated as the world no 1 best fielder in cricket. Jonty is a South African cricket player, particularly an exceptional fielder. His career spanned from 1992 to 2003. This era saw the South African team transform into one of the strongest sides in ODI history.
He made a whopping total 34 catches in only Test cricket and 105 catches in ODI. Rhodes first captured global attention during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. He set a high standard for fielding excellence. His fearless approach allowed him to execute stunning run-outs that are still talked about today.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is widely recognized as the second best cricket fielder in the world. He played for the Australian cricket team from 1995 to 2012. He showed exceptional skills both as a batsman and fielder. As captain, he led Australia to numerous victories, including two Cricket World Cup titles in 1999 and 2003.
What sets Ricky Ponting apart as one of the best fielders is his quick reflexes and his keen sense of positioning on the field. Ponting holds the record for the player with most runs in a test for Australia with 13,378 runs in 168 matches. He also stands fifth on the list of most catches in test cricket with a tally of 196 catches.
Paul Collingwood
Paul Collingwood played for the England cricket team from 2001 to 2018. Collingwood is renowned for his sharp reflexes and tactical acumen on the field. His commitment to fitness and agility set standards in modern cricket. Paul Collingwood holds a special place in cricket history as one of the finest ODI players during England’s early years in limited-overs cricket.
He is also known for leading England to their first T20 World Cup victory in 2010. This victory marked a significant moment in English cricket history, and he played a pivotal role as captain. He holds the record for being the first-ever player to score a century in T20 internationals while also having numerous notable performances across One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Keiron Pollard
Keiron Pollard stands tall as one of the best fielders in the world. His career started in 2007. Pollard has been an essential player for the West Indies national team and various T20 franchises globally. Opponents often find it difficult to take runs off him, thanks to his quick reactions and game sense.
Pollard is celebrated for his explosive batting and leadership skills. He has broken several records, including being one of the highest run-scorers for West Indies in limited-overs cricket. During a T20 match against Australia in 2021, he became one of only a handful of players to hit six sixes in an over at the international level.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith is widely recognized as one of the world’s best fielders in cricket. Steve is an excellent player from the Australian national team. His career spans over a decade, making his mark in international cricket since his debut in 2010. Steve is recognized as the most catches in an innings in Tests with 5 catches .
He has consistently scored runs across all formats of the game and holds numerous records, including being one of the fastest players to reach 8,000 Test runs. His unique batting style and technique have made him a standout player globally.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is an integral part of the Indian cricket team. He has made a name for himself as one of the best all-rounders and best fielders in cricket history of India. His career spans over a decade, having made his debut for India in 2009.
Jadeja’s ability to stop runs and take crucial catches under pressure reflects his commitment and skill. Jadeja is famous for holding several records. He is among the few players to have taken over 200 wickets and scored more than 2,500 runs in ODIs. He is also one of the fittest cricketers in the world.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket since his debut in 2008. He has played numerous matches for the Indian national team across formats. Besides having a reputation for being the run machine of cricket, he is also known as the best fielder in the world.
He holds eight rank for most catches in career in T20Is with 54 catches in 125 matches. Virat also stands tall with second most runs in cricket in 2023 by 2048 runs in only 35 matches and 36 innings. Virat holds the first rank for making the most centuries in 2023 in all formats by scoring 8 centuries. All of these records make Virat the GOAT Of cricket.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina, another key player from India’s cricket team has established himself as one of the best fielders in the world. His career spanned from 2005 to 2018 for international formats, while he continued to shine in domestic leagues and the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is also known as the best fielder in IPL history.
Raina was an essential part of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. Beyond his fielding prowess, Raina’s contributions to limited-overs cricket are noteworthy. He was one of the first players to score a century in T20 internationals for India.
Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis, from South Africa is undeniably one of the best fielders in the world of all time. He made his international debut in 2011. Du Plessis is known for his unmatched reflexes and concentration. His extraordinary fielding skills often lead to spectacular stops and catches that leave spectators in awe.
Faf du Plessis made headlines as one of the few players to score winning runs against top teams while being under immense pressure during matches. He holds the first rank for most innings before first duck with 108 innings. His commitment to fitness and sharp focus makes him a standout athlete who continues to inspire aspiring cricketers around the globe.
Andrew Symonds
Andrew Symonds is celebrated as the tenth best fielders in cricket history. Representing Australia, he played a crucial role in the team’s dominance during the early 2000s until his retirement in 2009. His ability to stop boundaries and take spectacular catches made him an invaluable asset on the field.
Andrew Symonds is famous for his outstanding performances in critical games, especially during Australia’s triumph at the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup when they emerged victorious against India. He also scored more than 5,000 runs in ODIs and was part of several memorable Test match victories.
Conclusion
Fielding is a crucial aspect of cricket that can change the outcome of the game. Being the best fielder in cricket history is not only about stopping runs but also about creating opportunities for wickets with stunning catches and quick throws.
Each fielder on this list has set high standards with their remarkable performances on the field. Discovering who ranks among the greatest fielders in cricket highlights the importance of this often-overlooked skill in the sport.
FAQs
Who is the best fielder in the world?
Jonty Rhodes, a former South African cricket player is known as the best fielder in cricket history.
Who is the best fielder in IPL history?
Suresh Raina, an Indian cricket player is known as the best fielder in IPL history.