As the tournament gears up for its landmark tenth edition, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, fielding remains a crucial factor that often decides high-pressure matches.
Over the years, several cricketers have made a significant impact through their catching abilities, with only one Indian player featuring among the top 10 fielders with the most catches in the tournament’s history.
The upcoming edition will feature 20 teams battling across 55 matches at five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. While teams prepare to chase the trophy, fielding excellence continues to remain a defining element in T20 cricket’s shortest global format.
Australia’s David Warner sits at the top of the list for the most catches in T20 World Cup history. The experienced opener grabbed 25 catches across 41 innings between 2009 and 2024, underlining his sharp reflexes and reliability in the field. South African legend AB de Villiers follows closely with 23 catches from just 25 innings, boasting the highest catch-per-innings ratio among the top fielders, highlighting his exceptional athleticism and anticipation skills.
Another Australian all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell, shares second place with 23 catches, collected across 31 innings. Known for his energy and agility, Maxwell has consistently delivered match-turning moments with his fielding brilliance.
India’s lone representative in the elite list is captain Rohit Sharma, who has taken 21 catches in 47 innings between 2007 and 2024. Rohit’s presence highlights his longevity in the format and ability to contribute in the field alongside his batting exploits.
New Zealand’s Martin Guptill occupies the fifth spot with 19 catches, followed by teammate Kane Williamson, who has taken 16 catches in 29 innings. Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi also has 16 catches, showcasing his all-round contribution for his team across multiple T20 World Cups.
West Indies’ two-time T20 World Cup winner Dwayne Bravo features next with 15 catches, reflecting his effectiveness during the Caribbean side’s dominant years in the tournament. Australia’s Steve Smith, widely regarded as one of the safest slip fielders in modern cricket, has secured 14 catches from 19 innings. South Africa’s David Miller completes the top 10 list with 14 catches in 27 innings.
Most Catches By A Player In T20 World Cup History
| Player | Span | Matches (Mat) | Innings (Inns) | Catches (Ct) | Max Catches in Match (Max) | Catches per Innings (Ct/Inn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA Warner (AUS) | 2009-2024 | 41 | 41 | 25 | 3 | 0.609 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 2007-2016 | 30 | 25 | 23 | 3 | 0.92 |
| GJ Maxwell (AUS) | 2012-2024 | 31 | 31 | 23 | 4 | 0.741 |
| RG Sharma (IND) | 2007-2024 | 47 | 47 | 21 | 3 | 0.446 |
| MJ Guptill (NZ) | 2009-2021 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 3 | 0.678 |
| KS Williamson (NZ) | 2012-2024 | 29 | 29 | 16 | 3 | 0.551 |
| Mohammad Nabi (AFG) | 2010-2024 | 30 | 30 | 16 | 2 | 0.533 |
| DJ Bravo (WI) | 2007-2021 | 34 | 34 | 15 | 3 | 0.441 |
| SPD Smith (AUS) | 2010-2022 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 0.736 |
| DA Miller (SA) | 2014-2024 | 27 | 27 | 14 | 3 | 0.518 |
As teams prepare for another intense T20 World Cup, fielding standards are expected to rise further. With new stars emerging and veterans continuing to impress, the upcoming tournament could witness fresh additions to this elite list of fielding excellence.