Virat Kohli entered the record books in the Indian Premier League. This time, it was for his fielding effort. Kohli, one of the best fielders in the game, is now the player with the most catches in the cash-rich league as a non-wicket-keeper or an outfielder. The 35-year-old broke the longstanding record of former IPL ace Suresh Raina. On Saturday, Kohli attained the milestone in match number 19 of the IPL 2024 season against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

The match saw Kohli smack his record-extending 8th IPL century as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished with a score of 183/3. Kohli did the heavy lifting for his side but didn’t find much support. His record-breaking knock had several records. He added a 125-run stand with Faf du Plessis. However, RR had other ideas as a match-winning 148-run stand between Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson helped the hosts win comfortably. Buttler pout-powered Kohli with his 6th IPL ton.

Notably, Kohli reached his milestone catch when Yash Dayal dismissed Riyan Parag. Kohli completed the catch at mid-wicket. Kohli’s catching ability, within the circle and on the boundary, is something for budding cricketers to admire. His athleticism makes him one of the safest catchers in world cricket.

We analyze players with the most catches in IPL history.

Virat Kohli (110 catches)

As per ESPNcricinfo, Kohli, who played his 242nd IPL match, raced to 110 catches. The loyal RCB man has been plying his trade in the IPL since 2008. Kohli’s best season in terms of catches was 2023. He took 13 catches for RCB in 14 matches. He is the competition’s highest scorer with 7579 runs at 38.27. He owns 8 tons and 52 fifties. Overall, in the 20-over format, the 35-year-old veteran has claimed 176 catches.

Suresh Raina (109 catches)

fielders with the most catches in IPL history  Raina went on to claim 98 catches for Chennai from 176 matches. He took another 11 catches for the Gujarat Lions when CSK was suspended. Raina’s best campaign was in 2014 when he took 12 catches from 16 matches. The southpaw, a leading fielder, ended with 5528 runs from 205 IPL matches. In T20s, he took 172 catches.

Kieron Pollard (103 catches)

Kieron Pollard is a T20 veteran and legend. One of the most complete players in this format, Pollard is known for his batting, bowling, agile fielding, and greatness in hitting sixes. Pollard is the only overseas player in IPL history to finish his journey with 100-plus catches. He took 103 catches for Mumbai Indians in 189 matches. He owns the record for MI with 15 catches in the 2017 season. The giant West Indian owns one of the safest pairs of hands. Pollard scored 3412 runs in the IPL. In T20s, he owns a sensational 362 catches from 660 matches.

Rohit Sharma (99 catches)

Another IPL veteran, Rohit Sharma, has been going strong since the inaugural campaign in 2008. The former Deccan Chargers ace is closing in on 100 catches. He has 99 under his belt. Seventy-seven of his catches have been for Mumbai Indians. He took 13 catches for the side in the 2012 season, his best return in a campaign. Rohit owns 6280 IPL runs at 29.48. In the 20-over format, the senior MI player has claimed 167 catches to date.

Shikhar Dhawan (98 catches)

Shikhar Dhawan doesn’t drop many catches, and his total of 98 is a testament to that. Dhawan has played for several franchises in the IPL and is currently the captain of Punjab Kings. He has played 221 matches to date. Dhawan, who enjoyed the most at Sunrise’s Hyderabad, holds the joint-most catches in a season. He took 12 catches in the 2018 season from 16 matches. The southpaw owns 6755 runs in the IPL. In T20s, he has collected 135 catches to date.

Ravindra Jadeja (98 catches)

One of the best all-rounders across formats, Ravindra Jadeja’s fielding attributes make him a class act. Another player is equally sharp both inside the ring and on the boundary. His presence of mind is of the utmost level. Jadeja has 98 catches in the IPL from 230 matches. Eighty of his catches have come for the Super Kings. He also played for RR and GL in the cash-rich league. Jadeja has 2776 IPL runs alongside 153 wickets. He has 127 catches in T20 cricket.

AB de Villiers (90 catches)

AB de Villiers wasn’t only Mr 360 in batting but also Mr 360 in fielding. In addition to being a top wicket-keeper, de Villiers also mastered fielding as a non-wicket-keeper. He was sound across all parts of the field with added brilliance on the boundary. In 184 IPL matches, he was seen as a fielder in 130 games. He claimed 90 catches, including 70 for RCB. In the IPL 2016 season, ABD took 19 catches as a fielder,, a record for a single campaign. ABD also kept wickets in 52 IPL matches. He impacted with 28 catches and eight stumpings. De Villiers finished his career with 5162 runs from 170 IPL innings.

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