Most Catches In ODIs

Aakash Saini

Most catches in ODI cricket [Source: AP Photos]Most catches in ODI cricket [Source: AP Photos]

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The phrase “catches win matches” is not without a merit, as fielding remains an indispensable facet of cricket. Among many aspects, catching stands as a true measure of a player’s reflex, anticipation, and composure under pressure.

Celebrating one of the most underrated disciplines of the game, here is a look at five certain cricketers who have taken the highest number of catches in ODIs.

5. Ross Taylor – 142 catches

Former cricketer Ross Taylor snared over 350 catches for New Zealand since his international debut debut in 2006 up until his retirement year in 2022. A prolific run-maker across all formats of the game, Taylor was just as frugal on the field as evidenced by his catching collection. Moreover, the legendary middle-order batter bagged 142 of those catches in ODIs alone (236 matches).

Apart from being New Zealand’s most successful fielder in 50-overs internationals, Ross Taylor is also ranked fifth on the list of players with the highest number of catches to their name in the format.

4. Mohammad Azharuddin – 156 catches

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin became the first cricketer in ODI history to complete 150 catches, doing so during the twilight stages of his career. Moreover, Azharuddin stood as ODI cricket’s most successful catcher for several years before he had his record broken by a couple of fellow elite fielders. During his 334-match ODI career, the legendary Indian batter also became one of the few fielders in the world to pick up four catches in a single innings of the format.

As of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Mohammad Azharuddin’s tally of 156 catches remains the fourth highest in ODI cricket.


3. Virat Kohli – 158 catches

Virat Kohli held on to two catches during India’s blockbuster 2025 ICC Champions Trophy showdown against Pakistan in Dubai. In doing so, Kohli went past Mohammad Azharuddin’s 156-catch tally to become India’s most successful fielder in ODIs, in terms of number of catches taken. Kohli, who attained the record while playing his 299th ODI match, is currently sitting on a pile of 158 catches. Notably, the legendary Indian batter has also snared over 100 catches in Tests and over 50 catches in T20Is to hold an overall collection of 333 grabs.

2. Ricky Ponting – 160 catches

Arguably one of the greatest fielders of all time, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting took 160 catches in 375 ODIs, and pulled off some sensational boundary saves during his international playing career. Ponting was among the pioneering figures in 21st century cricket who elevated fielding and transformed it into an essential art form. His gravity-defying grabs and acrobatic brilliance did not only set new benchmarks but also underscored the significance of fielding as a game-changing discipline.

He also picked up nearly 200 catches in Tests and eight in T20Is to have an overall assortment of 364 international grabs, a statistical marvel figure which perfectly complements his over 27,000-run career.

1. Mahela Jayawardene – 218 catches

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene continues to remain ODI cricket’s most successful fielder by a landslide, even after concluding his ODI career a decade ago back in March 2015. The legendary cricketer pocketed 218 catches in just 443 innings spanning 448 ODIs for Sri Lanka and Asia XI. 

A catching machine for Sri Lankan cricket regardless of the fielding position, Mahela Jayawardene not only leads ODI cricket’s catching race but is also the most successful fielder across all international formats with 440 grabs, having claimed 205 catches in Tests and another 17 in T20Is.