11 Best Catches In Cricket History
Table of content:
In cricket, the adage "catches win matches" has frequently been proven true. There is no alternative for catching, whether it is in a T-20 game, One Day match, or Test match. There have been multiple excellent catches over the years, and in this article, we pick the Top 10 best catches in cricket history. While opinions may differ, in our opinion, a good catch also requires mental focus and presence of mind in addition to athletic ability.
GetMega is an amazing platform that lets you play Hold'em Poker with friends & family with real money. Sounds fun, isn't it? Download the GetMega Hold 'em Poker now!
Top class Best Catches in Cricket History
1. Suresh Raina V/S Pakistan (Asia Cup 2012)
The start of the twenty-first century marked the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. Under the stoic guidance of Sourav Ganguly, the team included numerous young players who raised the bar not only for fielding but also for physical fitness. Suresh Raina was one such player. In the Asia Cup of 2012, Raina displayed great agility when he took a catch off Pravin Kumar’s bowling - an indisputable career-best from Raina, according to many.
The memorable catch took place during the India Vs Pakistan match, in the final overs of the Pakistani innings. Pakistan had amassed an impressive score of 323 runs when the catch took place. Standing at short cover, a marauding Younis Khan drove one, aiming for a boundary. Raina unexpectedly dived back and threw his hand in the air to collect the lightning ball. The brilliant catch by Raina helped decelerate the Pakistan scoresheet in the slog overs. The one-handed catch has since then entered the cricket hall of fame and grabbed the number one spot in our list of best catches.
2. Jonty Rhodes V/S England (ICC Cricket World Cup 1999)
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Jonty!” read the headline of a newspaper during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Recognized as one of the best fielders in the history of cricket, Jonty Rhodes fielding from the backward point has been the batsmen’s nightmare for years. One of his career bests, this scintillating catch was made by Jonty Rhodes off a delivery from Lance Klusner during the England V/s South Africa match at the 1999 ICC Cricket world cup.
Robert Croft from England had fired a shot that flew far above Jonty's head. Rhodes leapt in the air to grab the ball but was unable to palm it in that attempt. The ball, in the meantime, had lost pace and started to fall behind Jonty. Displaying brilliant agility, Jonty Rhodes dove back just in time to capture the ball. This catch would go down in cricket history as one of the best catches in the world.
3. Trent Bolt V/s Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2018)
Trent Bolt, the enigmatic New Zealand Cricketer, has been at the vanguard of some of the best catches in cricket history. Never was it as apparent as at the 2008 IPL match between RCB and Delhi Daredevils.
Kagiso Rabada’s full-length delivery to Virat Kohli was smoothly timed and flicked effortlessly. As the ball sped its way towards the boundary line, Bolt timed his jump perfectly and pulled off an excellent interception
4. David Hussey V/S Delhi Daredevils (IPL 2010)
Easily one of the best catches in IPL history, this catch is a wonderful demonstration of agility and alertness. Apart from this brilliant catch, the Kolkata Knight Riders V/S Delhi Daredevils match in IPL 2010 also witnessed a reversal of roles. Paul Collingwood, known for his sharp reflexes and acrobatic skills as a fielder, was at the striking end this time. Collingwood drove the ball through the air and straight at the Feroz Shah Kotla stands, aiming for a clean six.
David Hussey leapt in the air in an attempt to palm the ball but was unable to grasp it. In a display of athletic brilliance, Hussey backpedalled to get his hand to the ball. Juggling over the boundary rope, he threw the ball, while still airborne. One of the best catches in cricket history, this catch, for obvious reasons occupies the fourth position in our list.
5. Adam Gilchrist V/S England (2001 Ashes Series)
The unexpected catch by Adam Gilchrist was a brilliant display of robust athleticism. The historic catch took place at the 2001 Ashes. Marcus Trescothick was at the striking end and attempted a modified sweep to play it to the boundary. Instead, he struck the fielder's heel.
The fielder was in pain when the ball rose on the rebound. As the ball rebounded, Gilchrist ran and jumped to take the historical catch to come at number 5 in the list of best catches in cricket history.
6. Paul Collingwood V/S Australia (Natwest Series)
One of the most famous and lauded catches of all time, it was scored by English batting all-rounder Paul Collingwood. In the clash between Australia and England in July 2005, a short delivery was bowled by Steve Harmison. Matthew Hayden struck the ball hard. Defying gravity, Collingwood scored his legendary leaping one-handed grab, dismissing Matthew Hayden at the point.
7. Adam Dale V/S New South Wales (Domestic Tournament in Australia)
Recognized as one of the best catches in cricketing history, the catch was taken by Australian medium pacer and successful domestic cricket player Adam Dale. The match was part of a domestic tournament between Queensland and New South Wales in 1997/98. Phil Emery was the unfortunate batsman who hit the ball straight towards long-on.
The enigmatic Dale ran 20 metres across, leapt to his right and palmed the ball while still airborne. The effort was gravity-defying, to say the least, and one that cemented Dale’s name in the history of cricket forever.
8. Dinest Karthik V/S South Africa (World T20 Series, 2007)
The catch needs to be mentioned in the list of best cricket catches. During an ODI match with South Africa, Dinesh Karthik made the catch at slip off R P Singh's delivery. Instead of being assigned to his customary role behind the wickets, he was positioned in slips.
The unlucky left-handed batsman was Graham Smith. Despite trying a pull shot, Graham Smith’s shot sent the ball flying, after it hit the edge of his bat. Kartik showed no delay in catching the ball at slip, thereby scoring what can best be described as one of the most amazing catches in cricket.
9. Andrew Strauss V/s Australia (Ashes, 2005)
One of the iconic moments from the 2005 Ashes series is undoubtedly Andrew Strauss's catch at the Trent Bridge. Strauss accomplished an incredible athletic feat by leaping to his left and grabbing the breath taking one-handed catch to send Adam Gilchrist back to the pavilion.
Gilchrist tried to edge the shot over 3rd slip. However, the ball didn’t connect to the bat accurately. Strauss left no stone unturned and took the historic catch to make it to the list of best catches of the world.
10.Kieron Pollard V/S Australia (3rd ODI Australia V/S West Indies, 2013)
Glenn Maxwell of Australia would have anticipated the ball to go for six when he hit the ball off Sunil Narine's bowling. Kieron Pollard, an all-rounder for the Windies, had other plans. Pollard made a superb overhead catch, a few metres from the boundary rope, to send Maxwell back to the pavilion.
To make this catch, Pollard jumped around a metre above the ground and landed precisely off the boundary rope. For reasons all too obvious, this catch had to end in the list of world best catches.
11. Joe Denly V/S Australia (Ashes Series, 2019)
The incredible one-handed catch was pulled off by Joe Denly in the second Test in the Ashes series between England and Australia in 2019. Tim Paine, the Australian captain had just strolled to the crease.
The score was 5-149 and the number of remaining overs was seven. The enigmatic Paine had just pulled off a short ball when Denly leapt into the air and took the iconic catch with just one hand.
GetMega Rummy is an amazing platform that lets you play rummy with friends & family with real money. Sounds fun, isn't it? Download the GetMega rummy app now!
