You can’t stop Joe Root from breaking record after record. On Day 2 of IND vs ENG Lord’s Test, Root slammed his 37th Test ton, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith to move closer to Sachin Tendulkar for Most Test Centuries. On the field, he bagged his 211th catch in Test cricket to surpass Rahul Dravid once again to go top for Most Catches in Test cricket.
Karun Nair was his 211th catch. Among active cricketers, only Steve Smith is close with 200 catches. Only five cricketers have bagged 200 or more catches in Test cricket as a non-wicketkeeper fielder. Mahela Jayawardena, with 205 catches, sit third, followed by Australia’s Steve Smith with 200 catches. Jacques Kallis of South Africa was the only other cricketer to take 200 catches in Tests.
Most catches in Test cricket
| Pos | Player | Country | Mat | Inns | Catches | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Root | England | 156 | 296 | 211 | 4 |
| 2 | Rahul Dravid | India | 164 | 301 | 210 | 3 |
| 3 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 149 | 270 | 205 | 4 |
| 4 | Steve Smith | Australia | 118 | 225 | 200 | 5 |
| 5 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 166 | 315 | 200 | 4 |
| 6 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 | 328 | 196 | 3 |
| 7 | Mark Waugh | Australia | 128 | 245 | 181 | 4 |
| 8 | Alastair Cook | England | 161 | 300 | 175 | 3 |
| 9 | Stephen Fleming | New Zealand | 111 | 199 | 171 | 5 |
| 10 | Graeme Smith | South Africa | 117 | 225 | 169 | 5 |
Joe Root (England)
- Catches: 211
- Matches: 156
- Innings: 296
- Career Span: 2012–present
Joe Root holds the record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. He surpassed Rahul Dravid with his 211th catch against India. A mainstay in England’s slip cordon, Root’s consistency and sharp reflexes, especially off pacers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, have made him a fielding legend. His milestone catch of Shardul Thakur in June 2025 at Headingley tied Dravid’s record. With Karun Nair’s catch, he moved to the top.
Rahul Dravid (India)
- Catches: 210
- Matches: 164
- Career Span: 1996–2012
Known as “The Wall” for his batting, Dravid was equally immovable in the slips. His 210 catches in 301 innings came at an astonishing rate, with a catch-per-innings ratio of 0.6. Dravid’s sharp concentration and steady hands made him a go-to fielder for spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. His 200th catch, a diving blinder off Harbhajan, remains iconic.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
- Catches: 205
- Matches: 149
- Career Span: 1997–2014
Jayawardene’s soft hands and lightning reflexes in the slips made him a perfect partner for Muttiah Muralitharan’s spin wizardry. His 205 catches include countless low grabs on spin-friendly subcontinental pitches, where he mastered the art of staying low and anticipating edges. Jayawardene also holds the record for the most catches in ODI cricket (218).
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
- Catches: 200
- Matches: 166
- Career Span: 1995–2013
- The ultimate all-rounder, Kallis was a rock at first slip, securing 200 catches while also scoring over 13,000 runs and taking nearly 300 wickets. His ability to handle the pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel with ease showcased his technical brilliance. Kallis’s 200 catches are a testament to his all-around dominance in Test cricket.
Steve Smith (Australia)
- Catches: 197
- Matches: 116
- Career Span: 2010–present
- One of the few active players on this list, Smith overtook Ricky Ponting in February 2025 to claim the fifth spot with 197 catches. Renowned for his versatility, Smith excels in the slips and at short-leg, with a record five catches in a single Test innings. His 0.895 catches-per-inning ratio is among the highest, reflecting his proactive fielding. The only cricketer who can match or surpass Joe Root is Smith.
