5 Indian fielders with most catches in international cricket

Indian players have always been known in history for holding batting records. However, they have done well in the other departments, too, and picked up some bowling and fielding records as well. One of them includes that of the most catches in Test cricket with Rahul Dravid having claimed 209.

The legendary batsman is also among the top five fielders in terms of catches taken across all formats of the game. A number of former and current Indian cricketers, other than Dravid, have also managed to snap up quite a few catches in international cricket.

Let's take a look at the 5 most prolific catchers (not wicket-keepers) for India in the game:

5. VVS Laxman - 174

The ever-reliable great Indian batsman, VVS Laxman, was also one of the safest fielders in the team. Laxman possessed a knack for picking up catches and loved fielding in positions closer to the batsmen. Not only was he among India's best slip fielders, he also did a great job at silly point and forward short leg.

Including both Tests and ODI, VVS Laxman managed to record a tally of 174 catches in his career. Out of these, 135 came for the stylish Hyderabadi batsman in Test cricket whereas the rest of them were taken in ODIs. Laxman is just behind Rahul Dravid in the list of players who have most catches for India in Tests.

4. Virender Sehwag - 186

Sehwag picked up some great catches in his career

Virender Sehwag is easily one of the most dangerous batsmen to have played international cricket. In a career which lasted 14 years, Sehwag achieved some stupendous feats with the bat for India. However, one of the Delhi cricketer's great qualities was his catching and he pulled off some stunning catches in his career.

With 186 catches in 374 international matches, Sehwag has the fourth highest number of catches for his country adding up all three formats. While 93 of them were taken in ODI cricket, the Indian great had a tally of 91 catches in Tests. Viru, as Sehwag is fondly known, is among the top 10 catchers for India in ODIs.

3. Sachin Tendulkar - 256

Sachin Tendulkar could take catches in virtually every position

It is extremely difficult to find a list of international and Indian batting records which does not include Sachin Tendulkar's name. The master batsman owns almost every major batting milestone and none of the current batsmen is nowhere near beating them. Tendulkar also possessed a very safe pair of hands and took a few outstanding catches in his career.

The iconic Mumbai cricketer claimed a total of 256 catches across all three formats. While just one of them came in T20Is in the only match that he played, Sachin has 140 ODI and 115 Test catches under his belt. The legend is 3rd on the list of most catches for India in the longest format whereas he is 2nd in the 50-over format.

2. Mohammad Azharuddin - 261

Azhar takes a stunner in the slips

Despite the events that brought about an abrupt end to his career, Mohammad Azharuddin is still considered as one of the modern-day greats of Indian cricket. A batsman by trade, the Hyderabadi was a prolific run-scorer for the country in Tests and ODIs. Another thing that Azhar is remembered for is his exemplary catching.

In 433 international matches, Mohammad Azharuddin picked up a total of 261 catches. He has 156 catches in ODI cricket, which puts him on top of the heap in terms of being the most prolific catcher for India in the format. To add to it, Azhar also had 105 catches in Tests, the fifth highest for an Indian fielder.

1. Rahul Dravid - 334

Rahul Dravid is perhaps India’s greatest slip catcher of all time

Rahul Dravid is undoubtedly one of the best cricketers to have represented India in international cricket. Although known primarily for his exceptional abilities with the bat, Dravid was an equally good fielder and was his team's best bet in the slips for a long period of time.

It hardly comes as a surprise that the man with the most catches in Test cricket is also the fielder with the highest number of international catches for the Indian team. Including Tests and ODIs, Dravid has a staggering tally of 333 catches, out of which he has taken 209 in Test cricket and 124 in one-day internationals.