Cricket is a game of lazy elegance and it wasn’t associated with athleticism for a long time. However, the game has transformed over the years and it has led to remarkable improvements in every field. Fielding is one such aspect that was overlooked for a long time. But with the increasing average scores, rising challenges for the bowlers, and intense fitness guidelines, the fielding performance of all the cricket teams has improved manifolds. If we ignore a few moments like the iconic catch of Kapil Dev in the 1983 World Cup final or the magical run out by Jonty Rhodes in the 1992 World Cup, the fielding standards remained ordinary before the 90s. However, the fielding standards were increased after the 2000s. Players have started focusing on strict fitness routines and balanced diets to remain agile on the field. Here is a list of the top 5 fielders of all time in the World Cricket:
5. Herschelle Gibbs: Apart from an explosive opener, the South African former cricketer was one of the swiftest players in an athletic South African side. Gibbs’ also played Rugby in his initial days and the agility he developed there helped him move quickly in the field. Joining the league of the likes of Jonty Rhodes and Colin Brand, Gibbs took a total of 108 catches in his ODI career and 94 catches in Test cricket. His fielding was exceptional in the 2007 World Cup, the same where he became the first player to hit six sixes in an over in ODI cricket. The South African took many match-winning catches while fielding at short mid-wicket.
4. Ravindra Jadeja: The left-handed Indian all-rounder is currently the most athletic fielder in the world cricket. Jadeja has the fastest throwing arm in world cricket. He is often called the Jonty Rhodes of the Indian cricket team and even the fastest batsmen between the wickets have second thoughts while stealing runs from Jadeja’s hands. The southpaw can hit the bails from any corner of the field and has taken some sensational catches in the middle. Jadeja’s run out of Shoaib Malik in the ICC Champions Trophy is regarded as one of the best fielding efforts of this decade.
3. AB de Villiers: Apart from his unorthodox cricketing shots and gigantic sixes, the former South African is famous for his flying catches and swift dives. The right-handed batsman’s agility and quick reaction time make him one of the fastest fielders in the world. He has taken 217 catches in his 13-year long career. However, AB has also played as a wicketkeeper for quite some time. While playing for South Africa and RCB, the South African has pulled out many stunning catches to claim match-winning wickets. Apart from his 360-degree shot-making capability, AB has won his side many matches with his extraordinary fielding.
2. Suresh Raina: There was a time when the Indian team was the best fielding side in the world with swift fielders like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma in the team, and the pack was led by the recently retired southpaw Suresh Raina. Not that there has been any decline in India’s fielding performance, but that was the time when batsmen found it almost impossible to clear the circle. Raina remained the best fielder of the Indian side for the length of his career. He has taken 102 catches in ODI cricket and 86 catches in IPL. This places him among the best catchers in world cricket. Raina was also awarded the Best Catcher award in IPL for two years. The legendary Jonty Rhodes himself had confessed in an interview that he is a big fan of Suresh Raina and called him the best fielder in the world.
1. Jonty Rhodes: There’s no doubt about who should be at the top in the list of world’s best fielders. A perfect combination of athleticism, agility, swiftness, and brilliance, Rhodes is the undisputed king of the world’s best fielders. At a time when the fate of the game was decided by the performances of batsmen and bowlers, Jonty Rhodes turned the fate of many matches with his impeccable fielding efforts. Those who have seen him play live will know that Rhodes used to cover the field usually covered by two batsmen. He used to pluck unimaginable catches at times while defying the laws of Physics. He holds the world record for taking the most number of catches (5) in a single World Cup game (for non-wicket-keeping players). Rhodes had an equally effective throwing arm using which he inflicted many outstanding run-outs. Rhodes’ run out of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the 1992 World Cup from the point region is regarded as one of the most iconic run-outs in the world cricket.
