The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 will take place in India between October 05-November 19, 2023.
Just like every other white-ball event, fielding, and most importantly, catching, will play a huge role in shaping up the eventual fate of the ten participating teams.
Over the years, we have seen plenty of fielders from all around the world enthral the fans with their acrobatic display.
On this note, here's a look at the fielders with most catches in the past 4 World Cups:
Most Catches in World Cup 2007
Former English skipper Paul Collingwood topped the list for most catches during the 2007 World Cup. The champion fielder featured in 9 games, and proceeded to claim 8 catches.
South Africa's Graeme Smith also had a great World Cup as a fielder. The former skipper held on to 8 catches in 10 outings.
Eoin Morgan, who featured for Ireland in that World Cup took 7 catches in 9 innings, as did Proteas opener Hershelle Gibbs (SA) and Australia's Matthew Hayden, in 10 and 11 innings respectively.
Player | Matches | Innings | Catch | Catch/Innings |
Paul Collingwood (ENG) | 9 | 9 | 8 | 0.888 |
Graeme Smith (SA) | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0.8 |
Eoin Morgan (ENG) | 9 | 9 | 7 | 0.77 |
Herschelle Gibbs (SA) | 10 | 10 | 7 | 0.7 |
Matthew Hayden | 11 | 11 | 7 | 0.636 |
Most Catches in World Cup 2011
The 2011 World Cup saw the Sri Lankan stalwart, Mahela Jayawardene, assert his presence as the most efficient catcher.
In 8 innings, the Sri Lankan slipper claimed 8 catches, 2 more than the second-best in Jacques Kallis, who took 6 in 7 outings.
The top-5 is completed by Robin Peterson, Kieron Pollard and T Dilshan. Each claimed 6 catches, but in 7, 7 and 8 innings respectively.
Player | Matches | Innings | Catch | Catch/Innings |
Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
Jacques Kallis (SA) | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0.857 |
Robin Peterson (SA) | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0.857 |
Kieron Pollard (WI) | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0.857 |
T Dilshan (SL) | 9 | 8 | 6 | 0.75 |
Most Catches in World Cup 2015
South Africa's top-order batsman Rilee Rossouw proved to be the most successful catcher during the 2015 World Cup.
In 6 innings, the Proteas southpaw claimed as many as 9 catches.
Indian pacer Umesh Yadav finished at the 2nd spot, with 8 catches in as many innings.
England's Joe Root claimed 7 catches in just 6 innings to take the 3rd spot, while Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan finished at the 4th spot after taking 7 catches in 8 innings.
Bangladesh's Soumya Sarkar rounds off the list with 6 catches in as many outings.
Player | Matches | Innings | Catch | Catch/Innings |
Rilee Rossouw (SA) | 6 | 6 | 9 | 1.5 |
Umesh Yadav (IND) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
Joe Root (ENG) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 1.166 |
Shikhar Dhawan (IND) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 0.857 |
Soumya Sarkar (BAN) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
Most Catches in World Cup 2019
The 2019 World Cup saw England's Joe Root dominate the proceedings in the field as he took 13 catches in 11 outings.
South African skipper Faf du Plessis finished closest to Root, with 10 catches in 8 innings.
West Indian pacer Sheldon Cottrell was extremely sharp in the field, accounting for 8 catches in 9 innings.
Martin Guptill and Chris Woakes also claimed 8 catches each, but in 10 and 11 innings respectively.
Player | Matches | Innings | Catch | Catch/Innings |
Joe Root (ENG) | 11 | 11 | 13 | 1.181 |
Faf du Plessis (SA) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 1.25 |
Sheldon Cottrell (WI) | 9 | 9 | 8 | 0.888 |
Martin Guptill (NZ) | 10 | 10 | 8 | 0.8 |
Chris Woakes (ENG) | 11 | 11 | 8 | 0.727 |