As much as we all enjoy watching cricket, we also enjoy the wonderful moments of the game, be it a batsman scoring a century or a bowler taking a wicket. We enjoy watching fielders giving their best on the field while trying to stop or catch the ball. Fielders bring out their best on the field and contribute to their teams. Below is a list of the top ten best catches in cricket history:
1. Kapil Dev
In the final match of the 1983 World Cup between India and West Indies, Viv Richards was at the crease, and scored 33 runs hitting seven fours. He was considered the backbone of the West Indies team. While batting, he tried to hit the ball in the opposite direction and Kapil Dev ran backward and surprisingly caught the ball, leaving the West Indies players in bewilderment. As soon as the wicket of Richards fell, the downfall of the West Indies team started, and they lost the match. India won the match by 43 runs and won their first World Cup title in 1983.
2. Sreesanth
During the 2007 T20 World Cup final match between India and Pakistan, Sreesanth took an amazing catch. India snatched the match from its rival team. The game was in Pakistan's favor as they needed only six runs from four balls. Pakistan was already celebrating their win as set batsman Misbah-ul-Haq was at the crease till the very last moment. He tried to strike the ball to score the winning run but failed, and the ball went into the hands of Sreesanth. After thrilling scenes on the field, India finally won the match and lifted the T20 World Cup.
3. Ben Stokes
The game was going on between England and South Africa in the 2019 World Cup. One of the finest fielders, Ben Stokes, took a sensational one-handed catch when South Africa was struggling to chase down a score of 311 given by England. Andile Phehlukwayo was at the crease, and when Rashid bowled the ball, he tried to hit it for a six, but unfortunately, Ben Stokes was in no mood to drop the catch, He moved backward and took a brilliant one-handed catch near the boundary line. England won this match by 104 runs.
4. Chris Lynn
Chris Lynn took an amazing catch in the 2014 IPL match between Kolkata and Bangalore. AB de Villiers was at the crease, and was in amazing form. RCB needed six runs in three balls to win. Villiers tries to finish the innings, and smashes the ball, not realizing that the ball did not go for long and Lynn was standing at the boundary. Lynn took a brilliant one-handed catch to give his team a 2-run win.
5. Kieron Pollard
In the 2014 IPL, Kieron Pollard took a brilliant catch between Mumbai and Rajasthan. Kevon Cooper was at the crease and tried to hit a four. Pollard was standing very close to the boundary line; When the ball reached his hand, he looked back and threw the ball in the air. He came back inside the boundary and completed a brilliant catch while diving.
6. Evin Lewis
In IPL 2022, Evin Lewis took a sensational catch and contributed to his team's victory. The contest was between Lucknow and Kolkata. Kolkata almost chased the score of 211 runs given by their rival team, and they needed three runs in just two balls. Rinku Singh was at the crease and tried to hit the ball, but the ball went to Lewis, who took a brilliant one-handed catch to seal the win for his team. Lucknow stood third in the points table.
7. Harleen Deol
The Indian women cricket team is known for its excellent fielding on the field. In a match between India and England in 2021, Harleen Deol took an amazing one-handed catch that left the opposition team wondering what they just saw. Allen Jones, running in tremendous form, hit the ball for a six. Deol took the catch at the boundary line and while completing the catch she noticed the distance between the boundary line and her leg. She threw the ball in the air and dived to complete the catch.
8. Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana caught a brilliant catch in the match between India and England. While Natalie Sciver of England tried to cross the boundary to bring up her half-century, Mandhana did not miss the opportunity and dived to complete the catch, and with that catch, she took India a step closer to victory.
9. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers took a sensational catch in IPL 2018 that left the entire crowd in awe. In the match between Bangalore and Hyderabad, Alex Hales tried to kick the ball out of the ground; Had another fielder been on the boundary line, the ball could have crossed the boundary, but Hales was not on his side, and Villars was on the boundary line. He jumped and took a brilliant catch with one hand. In the post-match interview, Virat described his catch as freakish, Superman stuff.’
10. Ravindra Jadeja
In a Test match between India and New Zealand, Jadeja, an amazing all-rounder in the Indian cricket team, took a wonderful one-handed catch to dismiss Tom Latham. He was fielding at deep square leg when Latham hit the ball. The man, who rarely drops a catch, raised his left arm in the air, and jumped backwards to complete the catch. The players applauded him for his catch, and the crowd was delighted to witness the wonderful moment.
