Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History

Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History – In recent years, international cricket has put a lot of emphasis on fielding, as every team strives to become a brilliant fielding side. Players have become incredibly athletic, capable of producing moments of magic from anywhere on the field. The phrase “catches win matches” is a popular cliche used in cricket, and it holds true to a great extent. A fantastic catch can change the game’s momentum in a matter of seconds and shift the balance in favor of the team that takes it.

Also Read: Most Sixes In ODI World Cup History

However, there have also been some unfortunate drop catches in the Cricket World Cup, such as the one made by Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Australian captain Steve Waugh in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semifinals.

Waugh’s famous words to Gibbs, “You’ve just dropped the World Cup,” still haunt the South African team. Despite this, some outstanding fielders have taken amazing catches in the Cricket World Cup, and we’ll now look at the top five fielders who have taken the most number of catches in ICC World Cup history.

Also Read: Bowlers With Most Wickets in ODI World Cup History

A brilliant catch can turn the match around, especially in the cricket world cup, where it becomes even more memorable. In this regard, let’s take a look at the fielders who have taken the most catches in the history of the Cricket World Cup.

Chris Gayle Most Catches in Cricket World Cup History

• Chris Gayle World Cup Matches: 32

• Chris Gayle World Cup Catches: 16

Chris Gayle, the Universal Boss, holds the fifth spot for most catches in the ODI Cricket World Cup. Although Gayle is known for hitting monster sixes with his heavy bat, he was a fine catcher during the early stages of his career, especially in the slip when a spinner bowled.

Chris Gayle stood in the first slip for many years and took a lot of catches, his bucket hands making no mistake when an edge came to him. As a result, in the 5 World Cups he has played so far, Gayle has taken 16 catches in 32 matches, placing him in the top five for most catches in ODI CWC history.

Chris Cairns

• Chris Cairns World Cup Matches: 28

• Chris Cairns World Cup Catches: 16

The Kiwi hard-hitting all-rounder was a quintessential white-ball cricketer, and every team would have wanted him on their side. Cairns was responsible for bowling the vital overs for his team and batted at 6 or 7, scoring runs at a strike rate of 100 even in the 90s.

Moreover, Cairns was an excellent fielder, and the ball always seemed to follow him around the field. With his big frame, batsmen found it challenging to hit the ball over him, especially when he fielded at extra cover and mid-wicket. In 28 Cricket World Cup matches Cairns took 16 catches, making him fourth on the list of players with the most catches in the history of the ICC World Cup.

Joe Root

• Joe Root World Cup Matches: 12

• Joe Root World Cup Catches: 16

Joe Root, the star batsman of England, surprisingly ranks third on the list of the fielders with the most catches in Cricket World Cup history. In his first-ever World Cup appearance in 2015, Root took numerous catches in the slip cordon.

As the former test captain of England, he is known for his brilliant slip fielding and has a great technique for taking low and sharp catches. During the death overs, Root is usually positioned at long-on and mid-wicket, which offers him plenty of opportunities to add to his catches tally.

In just 12 matches, Root has taken 16 catches, and with his young age, he has the potential to surpass Ponting and become the fielder with the most number of catches.

Sanath Jayasuriya

• Sanath Jayasuriya World Cup Matches: 38

• Sanath Jayasuriya World Cup Catches: 18

Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya is considered one of the greatest ODI players of all time, contributing in all facets of the game. He was a destructive batsman in the first 15 overs and picked crucial wickets with his left-arm spin throughout his career.

Jayasuriya was also a brilliant catcher and took a lot of catches, especially in his follow-through while bowling. He did not miss any opportunity to dismiss the batsman with his catches. In the 38 matches he played in the Cricket World Cup, he took 18 catches, proving himself as a valuable fielder as well.

Ricky Ponting

• Ricky Ponting World Cup Matches: 46

• Ricky Ponting World Cup Catches: 28

Ricky Ponting, the two-time World Cup-winning Captain of Australia, has unsurprisingly taken the most number of catches in Cricket World Cup history. Considered one of the best all-round fielders in the world, Ponting was truly electrifying on the field. Although his batting skills were well-known, his contributions to his team’s fielding were often underrated.

Ponting was an all-rounder that could field anywhere, taking brilliant catches in the circle as well as in the deep. His anticipation on the field was exceptional, and he seldom dropped catches. Ponting snaffled 28 catches in the 46 matches he played in the Cricket World Cup, proving what a live wire he was on the field.

Most Catches In World Cup By Each Season

Year	Player	Catches	Inns	Team
2019	Joe Root	13	11	England
2015	Denesh Ramdin	10	4	West Indies
2011	Brad Haddin	7	4	Australia
2007	Kumar Sangakkara	7	8	Sri Lanka
2003	Adam Gilchrist	21	10	Australia
1999	Ridley Jacobs	14	5	West Indies
1995	Ian Healy	9	7	Australia
1991	DJ Richardson	14	9	South Africa
1987	Greg Dyer	9	8	Australia
1983	Jeff Dujon	15	8	West Indies
1979	Deryck Murray	7	4	West Indies
1975	Rod Marsh	9	5	Australia