Joe Root is just one catch away from setting the world record for the most catches by a fielder in Test cricket. On Monday, during the fourth day of the first Test between England and India at Leeds, Root matched the record held by Indian legend Rahul Dravid for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test matches.
Root secured the record-tying catch by taking Shardul Thakur at first slip off the bowling of Josh Tongue.
In the match at Headingley, India scored 364 runs in their second innings, powered by centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118). They set England a challenging target of 371 runs to chase in the fourth innings.
England’s bowlers fought back, with Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse each taking three wickets, while spinner Shoaib Bashir claimed two.
Historically, only once in 82 Tests played at Headingley over the past 126 years has a team successfully chased a target above 370 runs — Australia achieved this under Don Bradman’s captaincy in July 1948.
Joe Root Equals Rahul Dravid’s Record for Most Catches by a Non-Wicketkeeper in Test Cricket
On Monday, June 23, Joe Root matched Rahul Dravid’s world record for the most catches taken by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. Root secured the record by completing a catch of Shardul Thakur off Josh Tongue’s bowling. Rahul Dravid, during his 16-year Test career playing 164 matches for India and the ICC World XI, took 210 catches in 301 innings. Similarly, Root has also taken 210 catches for England in 29
Most Catches in Test Cricket (Non-Wicketkeepers)
| Player | Team(s) | Catches |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | England | 210* |
| Rahul Dravid | India / ICC World XI | 210 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 205 |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 200 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa / ICC | 200 |
Most Catches in India-England Test Matches
| Player | Team | Catches | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Alastair Cook | England | 38 | 30 |
| Joe Root | England | 38 | 31 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | India | 35 | – |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 30 | – |
| Virat Kohli | India | 25 | – |
Most Catches in ICC World Test Championship (WTC)
| Player | Team | Matches Played | Catches | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Australia | 53 | 104 | 102 |
| Joe Root | England | 65 | 102 | – |
