Top 3 bowlers with most caught and bowled dismissals 

A bowler will leave no stone unturned to pick up a wicket everytime the captain asks him to bowl an over. In the process, sometimes he has to fall back on his own fielding skills to dismiss the batsman.

A caught and bowled dismissal is a rare way to get out in cricket but for a bowler, nothing can be more satisfying. When such a thing happens, it means the bowler not only deceived the batsman but also showed alertness to complete the catch in the follow through.

Let us find out about the top three bowlers who have executed the most number of 'caught and bowled' dismissals in international cricket. It is no coincidence that all of them happen to be spinners!

#1 Muttiah Muralitharan

The "spin wizard" from the island nation of Sri Lanka, who holds the record for the most number of wickets in test cricket with 800 scalps to his name, has completed a staggering 70 caught and bowled dismissals in his international career.

Interestingly, Muralitharan was not regarded as a sharp fielder in his time. But he is on top of the list for taking 70 catches off his own bowling from 495 matches. He has picked up an unbelievable 1,347 wickets in the international circuit.

The man who holds the overseas citizenship of India was a fierce competitor on the field. The menacing look in his eyes, every time he started his run-up sent shivers down the opposition ranks for which he was often referred to as the smiling assassin.

In 133 Test matches, Muralitharan has executed as many as 35 caught and bowled dismissals. Anil Kumble is the only other bowler to have achieved 35 caught and bowled dismissals in Tests. The Indian took one game less to achieve the feat.

The Sri Lankan completed 35 caught and bowled dismissals in 350 ODIs. He is the only bowler to do so followed by Chris Harris of New Zealand, who took 2 wickets off his own bowling and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan with 24 caught and bowled dismissals in ODIs.

#2 Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble, also popularly known as "Jumbo", undoubtedly remains one of the greatest match-winners India has ever produced. The unorthodox spinner is placed second in the list with 53 caught and bowled dismissals against his name in an illustrious career.

There are stories galore that the stalwart he did not take it lightly if somebody misfielded when he was bowling.

Anil Kumble managed to complete 18 caught and bowled dismissals in ODIs while the number of times he latched onto opportunities off his own bowling in Test matches was 35.

He was a prolific wicket-taker who finished with 956 wickets in 403 matches, making him the third highest wicket-taker in the international circuit. Since making his debut in 1990 against England, Anil picked up 337 wickets in 271 ODIs and a remarkable 619 wickets in Tests.

There are stories galore that the stalwart did not take it lightly if somebody misfielded when he was bowling. Anil made sure he set an example and completed quite a few sharp catches in his own follow through despite not being a natural athlete.

#3 Daniel Vettori

The ability to execute caught and bowled dismissals simply adds so much more to the repertoire of a bowler.

The youngest New Zealand cricketer to have played Test cricket for his nation is the third bowler in this list for being involved in as many as 34 caught and bowled dismissals in his international career. Daniel Vettori is undoubtedly a legend of the game.

The left-arm spinner who had even led the New Zealand team at some point in time finished with an impressive record of 705 wickets in 442 matches at the highest level.

Vettori completed 12 of those dismissals in the 50-over format and took 21 catches in his follow through in the 113 Test matches that he played in his career. He remains only the eighth player in history to achieve the twin feats of 300 plus wickets and 3,000 runs in Tests.

The ability to execute caught and bowled dismissals simply adds so much more to the repertoire of a bowler, who is the most important cog in the wheel when it comes to the art of picking up a wicket by the fielding team.