In the fast-paced world of cricket, an athletic fielding unit can make all the difference between victory and defeat. According to cricket latest update today, India has produced some brilliant fielders who have affected incredible run outs and taken unbelievable catches. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best Indian fielders of all time.
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is regarded as the best Indian fielder of the modern era. He was like a livewire on the field, throwing himself around to stop certain boundaries. Yuvraj was exceptionally quick across the turf and had a bullet throw to run out unsuspecting batsmen.
Yuvraj made his international debut in 2000 during the ICC KnockOut Trophy. He immediately impressed with his electric fielding abilities. Yuvraj took one of the greatest ODI catches ever to dismiss Steve Waugh in the 2001 Test series in India. His catch to dismiss Ricky Ponting in the 2002 Natwest Trophy final is etched in fans’ memories. During his prime, Yuvraj was peerless patrolling the point region. His fitness and commitment made him India’s best fielder for many years.
Mohammed Kaif
Mohammed Kaif was the architect of India’s renaissance in fielding during the 2000s. He was one of the fittest and most athletic fielders the country had ever seen. Kaif brought about a fielding revolution in Indian cricket through his acrobatic stops, gravity-defying catches and direct hits.
Kaif announced himself on the international stage with his stunning catches and run outs in the 2002 Natwest Trophy final. Over the years, he established himself as the team’s best fielder and took some impossible catches in the outfield. Kaif also affected some direct run outs with his lightning quick throws from the deep. He was a livewire in the 30-yard circle who made batsmen hesitant to take quick singles.
Kapil Dev
Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev is undoubtedly one of the greatest fielders India has ever produced. At his peak fitness in the 1980s, Kapil used to cover large distances very quickly across the outfield. He had an unbelievably strong arm which helped him throw down the stumps from long distances.
Kapil made his mark as an outstanding fielder from his early international days. His catching at slip and in the outfield was top notch. Kapil’s most memorable moment came in the 1983 World Cup final when he sprinted almost 20 meters and took a stunning running catch to dismiss Viv Richards. He inspired generations of Indian cricketers to become fitter and better fielders through his exceptional skills.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is arguably India’s best ever fielder. He has taken some simply unbelievable catches in the deep and affected countless direct hit run outs with bullseye throws. Jadeja seems to constantly defy the laws of physics on the field with his acrobatics.
Jadeja announced himself on the international stage when he took a gravity-defying catch against New Zealand while running backwards – all while keeping his balance to avoid touching the ropes. This set the tone for the rest of his career. Jadeja routinely covers large distances before completing unbelievable catches. His run outs from anywhere on the field make him the most dangerous fielder to take on.
Suresh Raina
Attacking batsman Suresh Raina was also a livewire in the field. He was an athletic fielder capable of batting down boundaries as well as taking sensational catches. Raina provided immense balance to the team with his energy and intensity on the field.
Raina first represented India as a teenager in 2005. He immediately impressed everyone with his daredevil fielding abilities. Raina combined forces with Yuvraj Singh at backward point and cover to shut down the scoring angles for batsmen. He also took some memorable catches in the outfield diving full length. Raina’s fitness levels and ceaseless energy made him one of India’s best fielders for nearly a decade.
Eknath Solkar
Eknath Solkar was the first great close-in fielder India ever produced. He was an extraordinarily brave fielder who redefined slip fielding in India during the 1960s and 70s. Solkar took some unbelievable catches off fast bowlers – very often getting injured in the process.
Solkar made his Test debut in 1969 against New Zealand. In just his third match, he took the catch of Garry Sobers and immediately caught attention. Over the years, Solkar revolutionized slip fielding through his athleticism and fearlessness. His catches inspired the likes of Sunil Gavaskar to field better in close-in positions. Solkar was the lynchpin of India’s slip cordon until he retired in 1977.
Virender Sehwag
Swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag was not just a great batsman but also a handy fielder. He was nicknamed ‘Viru’ due to his love for taking blinders in the slip cordon off furious pace bowlers. Sehwag’s batting heroics often overshadowed his excellent catching and intercepting in the ring.
Sehwag came into the Indian team in 2001 as a hard-hitting batter. But he also impressed everyone with his sharp catching abilities at slip and in the outfield. Sehwag took many important catches against top international sides through his quick reflexes. He also affected some direct hit run outs with rocket throws from short third man. During his decade long career, Sehwag took over 100 international catches.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was one of the greatest slip fielders India has ever produced. He was nicknamed ‘Tiger Pataudi’ for his lightning fast reflexes while pouching catches in the slips. Pataudi transformed India’s abysmal fielding when he took over the captaincy in the 1960s.
Pataudi became India’s youngest ever Test captain in 1962 at age 21. He led by example in the field, holding on to improbable catches at first slip. Pataudi brought in a culture of fitness, athleticism and intensity – which reflected in India’s much improved fielding standards. His own catching record of 64 Test catches speaks volumes about his prowess in the slip cordon. Pataudi’s prowess made slips fielding a prestigious thing in Indian cricket.
Mohinder Amarnath
Batting great Mohinder Amarnath was also an incredibly versatile fielder. He was capable of fielding well in any position from slip to silly point. Amarnath was fearless while diving around to take catches and had a rocket arm from the boundary line.
Amarnath first played Tests in 1969 but came into his own in the 1982-83 season. His electric fielding was one of the highlights of India’s 1983 World Cup triumph. Amarnath took a sensational running catch against the West Indies in the finals. He also effected some unbelievable run outs with direct hits. His brilliant catching in the slips and commitment on the field made him one of India’s top fielders.
Robin Singh
All-rounder Robin Singh was an athletic fielder who gave his 100% in every match. He was usually positioned in the inner circle where he affected many run-outs with rapid underarm flicks. Robin was also excellent at intercepting and stopping boundaries.
Robin represented India in 136 ODIs from 1989 to 2001 as a batting all-rounder. However, his real impact came through his electric fielding. Robin combined well with Ajay Jadeja to choke run-scoring for opposing teams. He took some outstanding catches for India both inside and outside the 30-yard circle. Robin’s sizable contribution towards improving India’s sloppy fielding standards cannot be understated. His energy was infectious for the rest of the team.
Conclusion
While Indian cricket has often been criticized for poor fielding standards, as per the latest cricket information the country has produced some outstanding fielders over the decades. The likes of Eknath Solkar, Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath and others revolutionized Indian fielding in their times. More recently, cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif and Ravindra Jadeja have taken fielding abilities to superhuman levels. With fitness and fielding becoming an integral part of India’s cricket culture now, you can expect more such athletic fielders in the future who contribute massively to the team’s success.
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