Greatest Indian fielders in ODI cricket: India was one of the weaker sides in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The team missed the youthful zing in a tournament like the World Cup. India was one of the top three fielding sides up until at least the pandemic. But the fielding level has dropped considerably especially post the last T20 World Cup.
Exceptional fielders in Tests:
There was a time when Indian fielders were brilliant in Tests. Players like Eknath Solkar, and Vijay Manjrekar were gun fielders in Tests. Their catching at short leg and fielding at close-in was exceptional. Sanjay Manjrekar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman carried forward the rich legacy. Aakash Chopra though grossly underrated was a brilliant short-leg fielder. The recent few years have seen good Test fielders with Ajinkya Rahane being a clear standout.
We now though look back at a few of the greatest Indian fielders in ODI cricket:
#8 Ajay Jadeja
He was one of the most effortless fielders of his generation. Ajay Jadeja was on the prowl inside the circle. He had a penchant for affecting direct hits frequently. His casual energy on the field often misled batsmen to take him lightly. It was his biggest advantage!
#7 Robin Singh
He was the original owner of the backward point area. Robin Singh was one of the few Indian cricketers who was an athlete in the 90s. Singh was a banker in the field who easily saved 5-10 runs every time he took the field. He was surely an inspiration for the likes that followed.
#6 Yuvraj Singh
He was inarguably the one who made fielding look spectacular and fashionable. Yuvraj Singh’s famous grabs at the backward point region are the stuff of folklore. He expertly manned the point region. Yuvraj was one of those rare cricketers who hit the bull’s eye more often than not.
#5 Kapil Dev
He is arguably the best athlete Indian cricket has ever produced. Kapil Dev’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards remains a watershed moment in Indian cricket. Dev was someone who could field anywhere yet remain effective. His ease while fielding was a skill that very few possessed.
#4 Suresh Raina
He was one of the finest fielders in the Indian team. Suresh Raina brought magical energy to the side with his fielding. He was someone who could be stationed anywhere in the field and yet produce great results. Raina though dominated the cover region ensuring nothing passed through him in his heydays.
#3 Mohammad Azharuddin
He was someone who had rubber hands. Mohammad Azharuddin could walk into any side purely on the basis of his fielding skills. Azhar was a true natural at slips. He used to be a thorn in the batsmen’s eyes fielding at deep covers during the slog overs. There was hardly anything that went through Azhar.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja
There is a famous saying that states that Ravindra Jadeja’s arm needs to be insured. He is a terrific fielder who is forever on the lookout for conjuring up magic. Jadeja’s bullet throws lighten up the stadiums. His absence was clearly felt in the 2022 T20 World Cup where his manic energy on the field was missing.
#1 Mohammad Kaif
He is right up there with the very best in the world. Mohammad Kaif was a livewire on the field. He along with Yuvraj Singh took Indian fielding to great heights in the early 2000s. His brilliant run-out to dismiss Nick Knight in the 2003 World Cup remains a highlight even to this day. Kaif’s greatest asset was his ability to be fantastic at all the positions.
