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In this post, we will check out the top 10 best fielders in cricket history.

Cricket is a game of skills, and one of the most crucial aspects of the game is fielding. Fielding is an essential part of cricket, and a team with excellent fielders can change the course of a match.

Fielders have to be agile, quick, and have a good sense of anticipation to make crucial catches and stops. Over the years, we have seen some exceptional fielders who have not only saved crucial runs but also made some breathtaking catches.

In this article, we will discuss the top 10 best fielders in cricket history. These players have left an indelible mark on the game with their spectacular fielding abilities.

They have been a constant source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers, and their contributions have helped their teams win crucial matches.

The players on this list have been selected based on their consistency, agility, and their overall impact on the game.

Their fielding abilities have been crucial in deciding the outcome of several matches, and their contribution to the game of cricket cannot be overlooked. Let us take a closer look at the top 10 best fielders in cricket history.

Top 10 Best Fielders In Cricket History

10 Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis, a South African cricket stalwart and former captain of the national team, is renowned as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history.

His reputation is well-earned, with a multitude of factors contributing to his elite status. His jaw-dropping catching prowess, exemplified by a one-handed stunner against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, stands out as one key reason.

Moreover, Du Plessis’ ground fielding skills, marked by swift dives and precise throws, consistently save crucial runs and thwart boundaries.

What sets him apart is his versatility, comfortably covering any fielding position, be it in the outfield, slips, or close-catching positions. His tactical acumen is equally vital, as he orchestrates field placements to pressure the opposition.

In sum, Faf du Plessis embodies the complete fielding package – a catch maestro, run-saver, and strategic genius. These attributes have solidified his position among the top 10 fielders in cricket history, earning him admiration on a global scale.

9 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, a cricket icon, has etched his name among the best fielders in the sport’s history. His fame stems from exceptional agility, lightning reflexes, and pinpoint throwing accuracy.

Raina’s fielding stronghold often lies within the inner ring, where he consistently saves runs and executes vital run-outs.

Notably, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, himself a legendary fielder, has ranked Raina as Number 1 in his ‘top fielders’ list.

This accolade underscores Raina’s extraordinary fielding prowess. Beyond fielding, Raina’s credentials extend to his explosive left-handed batting, with a penchant for hitting mammoth sixes.

His versatility is on full display, drawing applause not just with the bat, but as an electric fielder in the circle.

Raina’s all-round abilities extend to his proficiency in both batting and bowling. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian to notch centuries in all formats of the game.

His IPL record further cements his fielding legacy, having taken a staggering 109 catches in the tournament. Suresh Raina, a true cricketing all-rounder, continues to mesmerize fans with his fielding finesse and cricketing prowess. Suresh Raina is number 9 in our list of top 10 greatest fielders in cricket history.

8 Steve Smith

Steve Smith, the Australian cricket sensation, has rightfully earned his place among the top 10 best fielders in the history of the sport. Renowned for his exceptional catches, Smith’s agility and precision on the field have astounded cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

His remarkable fielding skills, coupled with his prowess as a top batsman, have solidified his position as one of the most valuable players in the Australian cricket team.

In the realm of cricket, fielding holds immense importance, often shaping the outcome of a game. Smith’s awe-inspiring catches, reminiscent of cricket legends like Ricky Ponting, and AB de Villiers, highlight the significance of top-notch fielding in the sport.

These iconic players have set the gold standard for fielding, inspiring generations of cricketers to enhance their fielding abilities.

In essence, Steve Smith’s exceptional fielding proficiency not only places him among the cricketing elite but also underscores the crucial role of fielding in the game’s narrative.

His contributions serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of remarkable fielders in cricket history, enriching the sport with their extraordinary skills.

7 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, a cricketing marvel, stands tall as one of the finest fielders in the history of the sport. His accolades include being crowned the world’s best fielder by none other than the legendary South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes.

Jadeja’s fielding prowess is a sight to behold, characterized by his agility, lightning-quick reflexes, and a unique knack for hitting the stumps directly.

A brilliant all-rounder, Jadeja’s fielding skills shine brightly, often stealing the limelight. In the absence of Yuvraj Singh, he has made backward points his own, forming a formidable trio with Virat Kohli, setting new fielding standards for Indian cricket.

His remarkable abilities have earned him a place in the prestigious list of the top 10 best fielders in cricket history.

Beyond the boundary, Jadeja’s selflessness and unwavering focus on the game have set him apart. Despite facing numerous ups and downs, he remains dedicated and resilient.

His agility on the field can turn the tide of a game, captivating cricket fans worldwide with his breathtaking catches. In sum, Ravindra Jadeja’s impact on cricket is undeniable, and his exceptional fielding skills firmly establish him as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

6 Paul Collingwood

Paul Collingwood, a cricket luminary, has rightfully earned his place among the top 10 best fielders in the sport’s history, a sentiment echoed by countless cricket enthusiasts and experts.

His fielding prowess, particularly at backward point, rendered him an indispensable asset for the English team over the years. Collingwood’s remarkable reflexes and acrobatic one-handed diving catches were the stuff of legend, widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier fielders.

Collingwood’s fielding excellence extended beyond his breathtaking catches. His agility and quickness on the field allowed him to save crucial runs and thwart boundaries, attributes particularly valuable in the high-stakes arena of limited-overs cricket. In this format, where every run can be decisive, his fielding made an unmistakable impact on the game’s outcome.

In sum, Paul Collingwood’s fielding skills have etched his name among the cricketing greats. His nimbleness, quick reflexes, and acrobatic catches have made him not only a fan favorite but also a priceless asset to every team he represented.

5 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds, a cricketing legend, commands a revered place among the best fielders in the sport’s storied history. His reputation is built on a foundation of agility, a potent throwing arm, and the uncanny precision to hit the stumps.

Symonds, an Australian all-rounder, is widely acclaimed as one of the finest to don the Baggy Green. While he was renowned for his blistering batting and handy bowling, it was his fielding prowess that truly set him apart.

Symonds’ name adorns numerous lists of the top 10 best fielders in cricket history. His fielding versatility was unparalleled, spanning outfielder, catching, precision stumps, and slip fielding. Additionally, he showcased remarkable athleticism and an uncanny ability to pluck sensational catches.

Beyond his fielding mastery, Symonds was a prized asset for the Australian cricket team as a well-rounded cricketer. His ferocious batting and valuable bowling contributions made him a pivotal player in both one-day and test formats.

Notably, Symonds held several records during his illustrious career, including the record for the most sixes struck by an Australian in a single ODI innings.

In sum, Andrew Symonds epitomized the complete cricketing package, leaving an indelible mark as a fielding maestro and an indispensable all-rounder for the Australian cricket team.

His multifaceted skills in the field, coupled with his aggressive batting and handy bowling, established him as one of the game’s premier talents during his tenure.

4 Herschelle Gibbs

Herschelle Gibbs, the former South African cricket luminary, stands as one of the sport’s top 10 best fielders in its illustrious history.

This revered opener, doubling as a right-arm bowler, carved a reputation as an extraordinary fielder. Gibbs’ statistics underscore his fielding prowess, with a remarkable 94 catches in test cricket and 108 in 248 ODIs.

Gibbs’ fielding acumen wasn’t unnoticed by cricket legends. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting went as far as hailing Gibbs as a superior fielder to even Jonty Rhodes, a fielding icon in his own right.

Gibbs’ athleticism and agility were his trademarks, notably excelling in slip-catching and unleashing pinpoint throws from the outfield to run-out batsmen.

As a crucial cog in the South African cricket machine, Gibbs’ contributions as a fielder were pivotal to the team’s success. His exceptional skills, manifest in catches and direct hits, showcased his dedication to perfection on the cricket field, leaving an enduring legacy in the annals of the sport.

3 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, a cricket legend, rightfully claims his spot among the top 10 best fielders in the sport’s history. His remarkable athleticism, impeccable catching, and precision in hitting the stumps distinguished him as a standout fielder.

Notably, Ponting’s proficiency extended beyond fielding. As a player, he made history by being involved in 100 Test victories, a record unparalleled in the sport. In the realm of international cricket, he held the distinction of being the most successful captain, with an impressive winning rate of 67.91% in 220 victories out of 324 matches.

Jonty Rhodes, a fielding icon himself, acknowledged Ponting’s extraordinary skills by placing him among the top five fielders of all time. Ponting’s tenacity and temperament were not to be overlooked either.

Even after being dropped from the Australian team, he displayed remarkable resilience in regaining his form, showcasing his unwavering commitment to excellence. With twin centuries in Hobart and another ton against Queensland, Ponting demonstrated his enduring prowess with the bat.

In conclusion, Ricky Ponting’s legacy in cricket is multifaceted. He left an indelible mark as a player, a captain, and a fielder, and his remarkable achievements continue to inspire cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

His athleticism, catching finesse, and unwavering determination are the hallmarks of a cricketing great, earning him a prominent place in the pantheon of the sport’s finest fielders.

2 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, a cricketing phenomenon, is renowned not only for his exceptional batting prowess but also for his extraordinary fielding skills, securing him a spot among the top 10 greatest fielders in international cricket.

His versatility is a defining trait, seamlessly adapting to various positions on the field, including donning the wicket-keeping gloves and excelling in each role.

De Villiers’ innovative and unorthodox fielding techniques mirror his creative approach to batting, enabling him to execute awe-inspiring catches and critical run-outs with astonishing precision.

Notably, de Villiers continues the storied legacy of South African fielding great Jonty Rhodes, who himself rates de Villiers as the greatest fielder of all time.

This endorsement underscores the magnitude of de Villiers’ fielding mastery, earning him favorable comparisons to Rhodes, a figure widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier fielders.

In sum, AB de Villiers’ fielding brilliance has been a vital asset for the South African cricket team, solidifying his place among the elite fielders in international cricket.

His unmatched versatility, innovative techniques, and continuation of a celebrated legacy have endeared him to fans and cemented his status as a highly respected figure in the world of cricket.

1 Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes, a name synonymous with exceptional fielding in cricket history, ranks among the sport’s greatest fielders. He left an indelible mark during his tenure with the South African cricket team from 1992 to 2003.

He has continued to influence the sport as a professional cricket coach, commentator, and fielding coach for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

In a candid conversation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019, Rhodes shared his top five fielders of the modern cricket era. Andrew Symonds from Australia earned the top spot for his exceptional fielding both inside and outside the circle, showcasing a formidable arm.

Rhodes also lauded the fielding prowess of Herschelle Gibbs, Ricky Ponting, Paul Collingwood, and Suresh Raina, hailing them as some of the finest fielders in cricket history.

Notably, Rhodes singled out Suresh Raina as his best fielder in the modern era, emphasizing the Indian left-hand batsman’s extraordinary fielding skills.

Raina, widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier fielders, continues to impress cricket enthusiasts worldwide. In conclusion, Jonty Rhodes’ unparalleled contributions to the sport have firmly established him among the top 10 best fielders in cricket history, and his profound influence on the art of fielding endures as a cricketing legacy.