Cricketers with Most ODI Catches in History (Ranked 25 to 1)
Shaun Pollock
The 25th spot on this elite list is occupied by South African bowling legend Shaun Pollock, who also took 108 catches in 303 ODIs throughout his cricketing career. A part of the Proteas' 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy-winning squad, Pollock was known for his brilliant fast-bowling partnership with Allan Donald.
Herschelle Gibbs
While South African great Herschelle Gibbs' most infamous fielding moment was the dropped catch of Steve Waugh during a crucial Super Six encounter at the 1999 ODI World Cup against Australia, he still remains one of the best fielders of his era. Gibbs recorded 108 catches in 248 ODIs throughout his career.
Mark Waugh
One of the greatest fielders in Australian cricket history, especially in the slip cordon, Mark Waugh took 108 catches in 244 ODI matches throughout his playing career. His primary position was in the slips, where his sharp reflexes and excellent anticipation made his exceptionally reliable.
Paul Collingwood
One of England's all-time fielding greats, Paul Collingwood typically fielded at crucial high-pressure positions, including slips and backward point. Renowned for his break-taking one-handed catch to dismiss Matthew Hayden in a 2005 ODI against Australia, Collingwood finished his career with 108 catches in 197 matches.
Roshan Mahanama
Another Sri Lankan player to occupy a spot on this list and a member of the 1996 World Cup winner, Roshan Mahanama was often referred to as the 'Jonty Rhodes of Asia' by fans, highlighting his athleticism and ability to take spectacular catches. Mahanama took 109 catches in just 213 ODIs throughout his playing career.
Steve Waugh
A reliable fielder who used to position himself in the gully, former Australian skipper and World Cup-winning legend Steve Waugh was associated with a high number of run-outs throughout his international career. Nonetheless, he took 111 catches in 325 ODIs, at a rate of 0.342 catches per innings.
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Pakistani great Inzamam-ul-Haq is a surprising inclusion in this list, with fielding and catching being one of the least strong aspects of his game, during the later stages of his cricketing career. Despite the lack of agility and speed, Inzamam remains Pakistan's highest catch-taker in ODIs, with 113 of those in 378 matches.
Tilakratne Dilshan
Sri Lanka legend and white-ball icon Tilakratne Dilshan was often described as a 'live-wire' on the pitch, particularly for his impressive fielding inside the inner 30-year circle. Known for having taken spectacular low-flying catches throughout his career, Dilshan took 118 catches in 330 ODIs that he played.
Brian Lara
West Indies' longest-serving captain Brian Lara, known for his legendary batting attributes, was an athletic and safe fielder during his playing days, having taken 120 catches in 299 One-Days throughout his career. Lara took a total of 284 catches in 430 matches throughout his career, including Tests and ODIs.
Carl Hooper
An all-rounder who was a part of the dominant West Indies squad during the 1980s and 1990s, Carl Hooper's career with the national team spanned over 15 years, during which he took 120 catches in the 50-over formar. In fact, Hooper was the first cricketer to achieve a all-round unique record of 5,000 runs, 100 wickets and 100 catches.
Sanath Jayasuriya
A pivotal part of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning squad, Sanath Jayasuriya excelled across various roles in ODIs, as an opener, all-rounder, as well as a brilliant fielder. A strong outfield thrower, with an accurate arm, Jayasuriya took 123 catches in 445 ODI matches throughout his career, at a rate of 0.278.
Chris Gayle
The greatest T20I batter of all time, West Indies legend Chris Gayle's career fielding record includes a significant number of catches in international cricket, especially in ODIs. While he remains the country's highest run-getter in the 50-over format, Gayle also recorded 124 catches in 301 matches throughout his career.
Rahul Dravid
Nicknamed the 'Wall' by Indian cricket fans for his defensive abilities while batting, Rahul Dravid also remains one of the most accomplished fielders in international cricket history. Despite having kept wickets for a significant period in ODIs, Dravid did take 124 catches throughout his career, in 344 matches in the 50-over format.
Shahid Afridi
Once considered a dynamic and athletic fielder throughout his international career, Pakistan great Shahid Afridi took 127 catches in 398 matches, at a rate of 0.323 catches per innings. Apart from his catching ability, Afridi also had 22 run-outs in ODIs, and seven run-outs in T20Is, to his name.
Allan Border
Often stationed at short mid-wicket, former Australian skipper Allan Border was an outstanding fielder, known for his slip-catching abilities. At the time of his retirement, he held the record for the most catches in Test cricket by a non-keeper, while also having taken 127 catches in the 50-over format, in a total of 273 matches.
Muttiah Muralidharan
Sri Lankan bowling legend and the all-time highest wicket-taker in international cricket history, Muttiah Muralidharan took 130 catches in 350 ODIs throughout his career, at a rate of 0.374 catches per innings. Muralidharan also holds the record for the most successful bowler/fielder combination in Test cricket history, with Mahela Jayawardene.
Younis Khan
A reliable and skilled fielder, who particularly positioned himself in the slips, Pakistani legend Younis Khan had the reputation of having 'bucket-like hands'. The only Pakistani player to have ever taken 100 catches in Test cricket, Younis also has a record of having taken 130 catches in 265 ODIs throughout his career.
Jacques Kallis
The only player to score over 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODIs and Tests, South African all-round legend Jacques Kallis was an exceptional fielder during his playing days as well. Among the very players to take over 200 Test catches, Kallis also holds the record for 131 catches in 328 ODIs.
Stephen Fleming
New Zealand's longest-serving captain and a flamboyant opening batter, Stephen Fleming was known for his fielding abilities, primarily attribute to his tall reach, soft hands and great concentration. With 133 catches in ODIs, Fleming also was the first non-keeper player to take over 300 catches in international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar
A reliable catcher and the all-time highest run-getter in international cricket history, Indian ace Sachin Tendulkar is ranked 6th on this elite list, having taken 140 catches in 463 ODIs at a rate of 0.307. His best-known catch was the one he took to dismiss Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in a crucial ODI in Lahore in 2004.
Ross Taylor
New Zealand cricketing icon and a prolific fielder Ross Taylor finished his career with 142 catches in 236 One-Day Internationals, making him the player with the third-most catches for the Kiwis across all three formats internationally. Having retired in 2022, Taylor has now returned back to playing in order to represent Samoa.
Mohammed Azharuddin
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin could have achieved greater heights, had his career not been cut short by an unfortunate match-fixing ban. A gun fielder in ODIs, who often stood in the covers or in the mid-wicket position, Azhar scalped 156 catches in 334 matches throughout his career, at a rate of 0.469.
Ricky Ponting
Ex-Australian captain and World Cup-winning legend Ricky Ponting excelled in almost every position on the field, with his deadly accuracy, outstanding cricketing brain and agility making him one of the greatest fielders. He took 160 catches across 375 matches throughout his career, at a rate of 0.43 catches per innings.
Virat Kohli
One of India's sharpest fielders, former captain and 2011 World Cup-winning star Virat Kohli is second on this list of ODI catching records, having taken 161 of those in 302 matches throughout his career so far. Kohli also has several ODI batting records to his name, and is widely regarded as the greatest limited overs player of all time.
Mahela Jayawardene
The player with the safest hands in ODI cricket history, Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene occupies the top-spot on this elite list of players with most catches in One-Day Internationals. In 448 ODIs throughout his career, Jayawardene took a total of 218 catches, at an impressive rate of 0.492 catches per innings.
