Catching is one of the most important skills in One Day International (ODI) cricket. A brilliant catch can break a dangerous partnership, change the momentum of a match, and help a team defend a challenging total.
Several legendary cricketers have built remarkable records through their fielding. Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in men’s ODI cricket, while India’s Virat Kohli ranks second on the all-time list.
But who has taken the most catches in ODI cricket? Which players feature among the top 10? Here is a closer look at the leading fielders, their career records, and their contributions to the game.
Most Catches in ODI Cricket: Top 10 Fielders of All Time
Mahela Jayawardene leads the all-time list with 218 catches in 448 ODI matches. Virat Kohli follows with 170 catches in 317 matches.
Figures from the ACS Online Cricket Records, checked on 27 October 2026, are used throughout this article. The rankings include catches taken by non-wicketkeepers and exclude catches recorded while a player was acting as a wicketkeeper.
| No. | Player | Team | ODI Matches | Outfield Catches |
| 1 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 448 | 218 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 317 | 170 |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 160 |
| 4 | Mohammad Azharuddin | India | 334 | 156 |
| 5 | Ross Taylor | New Zealand | 236 | 142 |
| 6 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 140 |
| 7 | Stephen Fleming | New Zealand | 280 | 133 |
| 8 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 328 | 131 |
| 9 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 350 | 130 |
| 10 | Younis Khan | Pakistan | 262 | 130 |
Muralitharan and Younis Khan share ninth place because both recorded 130 catches. The table therefore contains 10 players across nine distinct ranking positions. Younis Khan’s figure of 262 represents matches counted in the ACS fielder-record table, which excludes his wicketkeeping appearances.
1. Mahela Jayawardene: 218 Catches
Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in men’s ODI cricket, with 218 catches in 448 matches.
The former Sri Lankan batter was known for his composure, quick reactions, and awareness in the field. His ability to anticipate shots and judge the flight of the ball helped him convert opportunities into dismissals.
Jayawardene’s record reflects consistency across a long international career. He remains the benchmark for non-wicketkeeper fielders in men’s ODI cricket.
He retired from international cricket in 2015, but his catching record continues to set the benchmark for future generations.
2. Virat Kohli: 170 Catches
Virat Kohli has established himself as one of India’s leading modern fielders. His 170 ODI outfield catches place him second on the all-time list.
Kohli combines athleticism, quick reactions, and anticipation. He has taken catches in the inner circle, at point, in the covers, and in the deep. His energy and commitment in the field also help maintain pressure on opposing batters.
During the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Kohli achieved two significant milestones in the same tournament.
On 23 February 2025, against Pakistan in Dubai, he caught Naseem Shah to move past Mohammad Azharuddin’s Indian record of 156 ODI outfield catches. Kohli’s catch of Naseem was his 157th; he subsequently caught Khushdil Shah in the same match for his 158th.
In the semi-final against Australia on 4 March 2025, Kohli caught Nathan Ellis at long-on off Mohammed Shami. His 161st ODI outfield catch took him past Ricky Ponting’s 160 and moved him into second place on the all-time list.
These two milestones in one tournament established Kohli as India’s leading ODI outfield catcher and the second-highest on the overall list.
Unlike several retired players on this list, Kohli remains active in ODI cricket, giving him opportunities to increase his total further.
3. Ricky Ponting: 160 Catches
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting ranks third with 160 catches in 375 ODI matches.
Ponting was known for his competitive approach to cricket, and his fielding reflected the same intensity. He had quick hands, strong throwing skills, and the ability to react effectively to difficult chances.
His catching record formed part of Australia’s successful era in international cricket. Alongside his batting and captaincy, Ponting’s fielding made him a valuable contributor in important matches.
He retired from international cricket in 2012, leaving behind one of the strongest catching records in ODI history.
4. Mohammad Azharuddin: 156 Catches
Mohammad Azharuddin occupies fourth place with 156 catches in 334 ODI matches.
The former Indian captain was admired for his elegant batting and exceptional wrist work. He was also a capable fielder whose movement and coordination helped him collect catches in different positions.
Azharuddin held India’s record for the most ODI catches by a non-wicketkeeper before Kohli surpassed his total during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
His record remains an important milestone in Indian cricket and highlights the contribution of fielding to the team’s international history.
5. Ross Taylor: 142 Catches
New Zealand’s Ross Taylor recorded 142 catches in 236 ODI matches.
Taylor’s position is notable because he reached his total in fewer matches than several players above him. Alongside his dependable batting, he contributed through his positioning, concentration, and safe hands in the field.
He represented New Zealand across numerous international competitions and was part of teams that consistently challenged strong opponents in major tournaments.
Taylor retired from international cricket in 2022. His 142 catches place him among the most successful non-wicketkeeper fielders in ODI history.
6. Sachin Tendulkar: 140 Catches
Sachin Tendulkar took 140 catches in 463 ODI matches, finishing sixth on the list.
Best remembered for his extraordinary batting career, Tendulkar also made a substantial contribution in the field. His long international career gave him opportunities to take catches across different eras of ODI cricket.
Although he is primarily celebrated for his batting records, his catching total demonstrates another aspect of his contribution to the Indian team.
Tendulkar retired from international cricket in 2013, but his influence on Indian cricket remains significant.
7. Stephen Fleming: 133 Catches
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming recorded 133 catches in 280 ODI matches.
Fleming was known for his tactical intelligence and calm leadership. Anticipating a batter’s shot, reading the situation, and positioning himself effectively were important aspects of his role as a fielder.
He led New Zealand through several international campaigns and made valuable contributions with the bat and in the field.
His 133 catches place him seventh among the leading non-wicketkeeper fielders in ODI cricket.
8. Jacques Kallis: 131 Catches
South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis took 131 catches in 328 ODI matches.
Kallis was one of cricket’s most accomplished all-rounders, contributing with both batting and bowling. His fielding provided another dimension to his overall value to the team.
His coordination, positioning, and ability to field in different areas helped him contribute to dismissals throughout his international career.
Kallis retired from international cricket in 2014 and remains one of South Africa’s most celebrated cricketers.
9. Muttiah Muralitharan: 130 Catches
Muttiah Muralitharan recorded 130 catches in 350 ODI matches, placing him joint ninth on this list.
Primarily remembered as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history, Muralitharan also accumulated a substantial number of catches during his international career.
Bowlers can take catches in the field and sometimes close to the pitch, depending on their fielding position. His total demonstrates that catching contributions are not limited to specialist fielders or top-order batters.
Muralitharan retired from international cricket in 2011 after an outstanding career for Sri Lanka.
10. Younis Khan: 130 Catches
Pakistan’s Younis Khan shares ninth place with Muttiah Muralitharan, having taken 130 catches in 262 matches counted in the ACS fielder-record table.
Younis was an important middle-order batter for Pakistan and also contributed through his fielding. He reached the same career catch total as Muralitharan in fewer matches counted as a non-wicketkeeper fielder.
The figures exclude catches taken while acting as a wicketkeeper, ensuring that his record is compared consistently with those of the other non-wicketkeepers on the list.
Younis retired from international cricket in 2017 after a distinguished career representing Pakistan.
Why Are Outfield Catches Important in ODI Cricket?
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Catching is a crucial part of ODI cricket because it converts opportunities created by bowlers into dismissals. A successful catch can change the direction of an innings and influence the result of a match.
Here are three reasons why catching matters in the ODI format.
1. Breaking partnerships
A catch can remove an established batter who is building a partnership. Taking that wicket can expose the opposition’s middle or lower order and change the team’s scoring plans.
2. Creating pressure
Reliable fielding forces batters to think carefully about their shot selection. When fielders consistently take their chances, batters may become more cautious or take additional risks to maintain the scoring rate.
3. Supporting bowlers
A bowler may deliver a good ball that produces an edge or a mistimed shot, but a fielder must complete the catch to turn the opportunity into a dismissal. Reliable catching therefore strengthens a team’s bowling performance.
Modern teams devote considerable time to fielding drills, fitness, reaction training, and positioning. These practices help players improve their chances of taking difficult catches under match pressure.
How Is the ODI Catches Record Calculated?
The statistics in this article refer to catches taken by fielders who are not acting as wicketkeepers. The ACS Online Cricket Records provides the career totals and match figures used for the rankings.
This distinction matters because wicketkeepers accumulate catches through their specialist role behind the stumps. Including wicketkeeping catches would produce a different ranking and would not provide a consistent comparison of non-wicketkeeper fielding records.
Career totals also depend on the number of matches played, the opportunities created by bowlers, and a player’s usual fielding position. Therefore, the highest career total does not automatically mean the highest catching rate per match.
For reliable comparisons, career catches and matches should be considered together, and the same statistical definition should be applied to every player.
Conclusion
Mahela Jayawardene remains the record holder for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in men’s ODI cricket, with 218 catches in 448 matches. Virat Kohli follows in second place with 170, ahead of Ricky Ponting and Mohammad Azharuddin.
The list also highlights the contributions of Ross Taylor, Sachin Tendulkar, Stephen Fleming, Jacques Kallis, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Younis Khan. Muralitharan and Younis share ninth place with 130 catches each.
Jayawardene’s achievements extend beyond ODI cricket. With 440 catches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, he holds the international record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper.
These records demonstrate that catching is far more than a supporting skill in ODI cricket. Reliable fielding can break partnerships, create pressure, and help teams turn bowling opportunities into wickets. The achievements of these players underline the lasting importance of catching in the history of the one-day international format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in men’s ODI cricket, with 218 catches in 448 matches.
Virat Kohli has 170 outfield catches in 317 ODI matches, according to the ACS Online Cricket Records checked on 27 October 2026. His total may increase as he continues playing ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli holds the Indian record for the most ODI catches by a non-wicketkeeper. He surpassed Mohammad Azharuddin’s 156 catches during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Yes. Ricky Ponting ranks third on the all-time list, with 160 catches in 375 ODI matches.
No. This article ranks non-wicketkeepers by their catches taken while fielding. Catches recorded while acting as a wicketkeeper are excluded to maintain a consistent comparison.