Who are the the best fielders in IPL history?
The Indian Premier League has improved the quality of fielding, since it’s inception in 2008. All of the best fielders in the world currently play in the IPL. Players have learnt to take athletic catches and even save sixes from crossing over the boundary. Prior to the IPL, such feats may not have been very regular.
The IPL has seen some amazing fielders throughout the years. Kieron Pollard, David Warner and Jacques Kallis are three of the greatest. But, the IPL has been played for 12 years and this is the 13th edition.
But, who are the best fielders in IPL history?
1. AB De Villiers
“Superman”
Described as superman by his franchise captain, Virat Kohli and fans alike.
AB De Villiers has represented both the Delhi Daredevils and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He is known for being a versatile fielder. AB can field in the slips, as a wicket keeper or in the outfield. He is brilliant in all three fielding positions.
POISED…. 👀 #PlayBold #IPL2020 #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/Ogz3e7l8Si
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 13, 2020
In his career, he has taken some amazing catches and effected some impossible run outs. His catch to dismiss Alex Hales off the bowling of Moeen Ali in 2018 remains perhaps one of the greatest catches in the history of the IPL. He is a natural athelete and his a remarkable ability to anticipate and jump accordingly to take catches.
Read – Virat Kohli calls AB De Villiers superman for his heroic catch
AB De Villiers has taken 84 catches in 121 IPL innings. He has a catches/innings rate of 0.694.
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Undoubtedly, the top dog among best fielders in IPL history.
2. Dwyane Bravo
“The dancer and mover.”
Dwyane Bravo has represented the Mumbai Indians, The Gujarat Lions and the Chennai Super Kings in his IPL career. He has taken 74 catches in 133 innings, at a catches/innings rate of 0.556. His fielding is synonmous with diving and making difficult catches look easy.
7 days to go for 'Abidhaabi' 😍#MIvCSK #Dream11IPL #VadiveluForLife #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/pZ9XiRU7wD
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 12, 2020
Bravo is the only full-time bowler on this list. He has taken a number of superb catches off his own bowling. Perhaps one of the best examples to use is, his caught and bowled to dismiss Yusuf Pathan in the 2018 IPL Qualifier 1. Yusuf was looking dangerous, amid a collpase. He powered the ball straight back to Dwyane Bravo, who amazingly judged the speed of the ball and hung on beautifully.
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Dwayne Bravo sits number 2 on our list of best fielders in IPL history.
3. Suresh Raina
“Mr IPL”
Suresh Raina is one of the most iconic players that the IPL has ever seen. He has scored over 300 runs in every IPL tournament from 2008 till date. However, his fielding is also very strong. He has excellent reflexes and is a real livewire on the field for the Chennai Super Kings.
Will Raina return to play cricket at IPL 2020?
Suresh Raina
818 vs KKR
818 vs MI
814 vs KXIPOnly player with 800+ runs against 3 Different opponents in IPL
— ComeOn Cricket 🏏 IPL2020 🇮🇳 (@ComeOnCricket) September 12, 2020
He has taken the most catches in the history of the Indian Premier League. Raina has taken 102 catches in 192 innings, giving him a catches/innings rate of 0.531. His consistency is unparalleled in the tournament. A good slip fielder and a good outfielder, he forms a key part of the formidable fielding group that the Chennai Super Kings has used over the years.
Also, Read – Three players who can potentially replace Suresh Raina at IPL 2020
Suresh Raina sits number 3 on our list of best IPL fielders of all-time.
4. Faf Du Plessis
“Mr Fafulous”
Faf Du Plessis is the best fielder in international cricket currently, while standing in the slips. His catch percentage of 96% is comfortably the highest. As a result, it should be no surprise that he is also among the best fielders in IPL history.
He often takes multiple catches in a single game and can field in any position. Like Bravo and De Villiers before him, Du Plessis has a knack of taking very difficult catches, especially those hit with power.
🏏
Faf du Plessis 🙌
Straight down the ground! 🏟 pic.twitter.com/KLEs4ekxON
— The Cricket Wire (@TheCricketWire) September 7, 2020
Steve Smith vs Faf Du Plessis – The big ODI fight
In 70 innings, Faf has taken 42 catches at an impressive catches/innings rate of 0.6. He has played much less IPL cricket than those players above, but his sample size is still significant.
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Faf Du Plessis sits number 4 on our list of best IPL fielders.
5. David Miller
“Killer Miller”
David Miller has lit the IPL up with his batting, despite his failings in recent years. However, the phrase “Killer Miller” would also be a reasonable term to associate his fielding with. Part of the Kings XI Punjab and now the Rajasthan Royals, Miller has taken some amazing catches throughout his IPL career.
Rajasthan Royals practice match showing live on Instagram – Sanju Samson and David Miller batting together.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 12, 2020
He is arguably the greatest outfielder among this list and his diving ability and anticipation is almost second to none. David Miller has saved plenty of runs on the boundary for the Kings XI Punjab in the past. He will hope to impress his new franchise, should he get the chance.
Also, Read – The all-round genius of AB De Villiers
In 79 innings, David Miller has taken 49 catches, giving him a catches/innings ratio of 0.620.
David Miller sits number 5 on our list of best fielders in IPL.
Names unlucky to miss out
David Warner
David Warner is a very reliable fielder for Australia and he has been just as great for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is versatile and can field in the slips, inside the circle or on the boundary.
Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard is mainly a boundary fielder, where he uses his long reach to pluck out catches that otherwise look as if they are going for a maximum. He has been a very reliable fielder for both the West Indies and the Mumbai Indians.
Ravi Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is perhaps one of the most all-round complete fielders in the T20 Cricket. He has the ability to knock down the stumps with his athletic fielding and can take superb catches. He is a very versatile fielder and has been extremely important to both India and CSK.
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