Aiden Markram climbs the ranks! Most Catches as a Fielder for South Africa in T20Is

Harsh Adwani

Most Catches as a Fielder for South Africa in T20Is [Source: AFP Photos]Most Catches as a Fielder for South Africa in T20Is [Source: AFP Photos]

Fielding in cricket is always a very essential skill to master, especially with the standards of fitness rising so much. As the famous saying goes, catches win you matches, which is very true.

South Africa has produced many great fielders over the years. The rise of T20s has forced players to make more effort on the field. From AB de Villiers to David Miller, the Proteas have produced many great fielders in the T20I format.

Aiden Markram, the T20I skipper, has also risen through the ranks and has produced some spectacular catches. Let’s have a look at South Africa’s top catchers (non-wicketkeepers) in the shortest format.

5. JP Duminy – 35 catches

JP Duminy was an exceptional fielder in the inner circle and always had safe hands while playing for South Africa. His agility and sharp reflexes made him one of the best fielders that South Africa has produced.

In the 81 T20I matches that he played for his country, Duminy grabbed 35 catches, making him the fifth highest on the list. His catching often resulted in the game tilting in his team’s favour.

4. Reeza Hendricks – 39 catches

Reeza Hendricks is another fielder who did well as a fielder in the shortest format of the game. The 36-year-old’s sharp reflexes and agility made him a great close-in fielder for South Africa.

The opening batter has played 87 T20I games for his country and has taken 39 catches. His fielding efforts make him an essential part of the Proteas’ plans for T20Is.

3. Aiden Markram – 40 catches

Aiden Markram has been climbing up the ranks as one of South Africa’s best fielders in the T20I format. In the first game of the T20I series against India, the team skipper completed his 40th catch in the format.

He played his 63rd match for the Proteas and has an exceptional catching record in fewer games. He is a multi-dimensional fielder and is often stationed in the most key areas. His skills allow him to field in the inner circle as well as the boundaries.

2. AB de Villiers – 44 catches

The former South African star, AB de Villiers, was not just one of the greatest fielders for his country but across the world. His extraordinary agility and great judgement of the ball made him one of the greatest fielders of all time.

In the 78 matches that he played for his team, he completed 44 catches, many of which changed the game’s tide. Apart from his batting, his fielding abilities made him a very important asset for South Africa in T20Is.

1. David Miller – 78 catches

David Miller is South Africa’s best fielder by a long margin. The star finisher has taken 34 catches more than his closest counterpart. In the 131 matches that he has played in T20Is, he has completed 78 catches.

The 36-year-old has also taken the most catches in T20Is in the world. He usually fields in key areas like long-on and deep mid-wicket, which are the highest-scoring options for batters in the fast-paced T20 games.