Who Holds the Record for Most Catches in IPL Game?

Fielding in cricket is an underrated art and often gets eclipsed by the excellence of batters and bowlers. However, the third dimension of the sport demands unreal fitness, timing, and reflex that not every cricketer can perfect. Among various cricketing events, the Indian Premier League is one such tourney that has played center stage in some of the best fielding displays. 

Fielding brilliance over a consistent tenure is often highlighted in the modern day of social media and digital media. However, to be consistent enough, one needs to put in the effort regularly, similar to building a fort with minute bricks. 

In this piece, we shall dig deep into the cricketers with the highest no. of catches in a particular IPL game.

1. Mohammad Nabi’s 5 catches against Mumbai Indians 

Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Nabi holds the record for highest catches in IPL. The all-rounder picked 5 catches in a game against Mumbai Indians during the IPL 2021. While playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he achieved the feat at the Abu Dhabi cricket stadium. He picked catches of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, James Neesham, Krunal Pandya and Nathan Coulter-Nile to etch his name in the record books. But his efforts went in vain as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lost the game by 42 runs. 

Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil of Afghanistan//Getty Images

2. Daryl Mitchell’s 5 catches against Sunrisers Hyderabad

In the 46th encounter of IPL 2024, the Chennai Super Kings squared off against the Sunrisers Hyderabad where Daryl Mitchell grabbed as many as five catches. The Kiwi assisted in the wickets of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Pat Cummins. 

Mitchell not only gleamed in the field but also with the bat. His 32-ball 52 with seven fours and a lone six coupled with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 54-ball 98 was instrumental in setting up a 212-run first innings target. In response, the 2024 runners-up failed to get a start, courtesy of disciplined bowling from the CSK pacers. 

Mitchell took the catch of in-form Travis Head at point followed by Abhishek Sharma’s top edge where the ball landed in his hand at deep point region. Unbothered by the early jitters, Henrich Klaasen’s aim to go big didn’t last that day as he found the safe hands of Mitchell at long-on. Having already bagged three catches, the New Zealand all-rounder picked out the SG on a couple of more occasions with Cummins and Shahbaz holing out at long-on and deep backward point respectively. 

3. Sachin Tendulkar’s 4 catches against Kolkata Knight Riders 

Batting great Sachin Tendulkar also features in the list of highest catches in IPL with 4 catches in the game. The former Mumbai Indians skipper achieved the feat during the inaugural edition of the league against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The opener batter played a part in the wickets of Salman Butt, Wriddhiman Saha, Ajit Agarkar and Shoaib Akhtar. Tendulkar’s effort in the field turned out to be crucial for Mumbai Indians as they won the game by 8 wickets. 

Sachin Tendulkar//Getty Images

4. David Warner’s 4 catches against Rajasthan Royals

David Warner is rated as one of the best fielders in the game of cricket. The Australian opener is a live wire on the field as the amount of effort he puts in is one for every youngster to see. He also has the highest catches in the IPL when he picked 4 catches while playing for Delhi Capitals against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2010. He picked catches of Michael Lumb, Adam Voges, Yusuf Pathan, and Sumit Nawal. Apart from this, he also enforced a run out and helped his team win the game by 67 runs.