Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best fielders in world cricket. His exceptional fitness and agility have made him a standout on the field, drawing admiration for his ground fielding and spectacular catches. However, even the finest players have their off days, and Kohli is no exception when it comes to dropping catches.
Between 2019 and August 2024, Kohli dropped 36 catches, the most by any Indian cricketer during this period. This statistic gained attention during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia when Kohli dropped Marnus Labuschagne early in the innings. Notably, Kohli also ranks second in dropped catch percentage since 2011 among players with at least 100 catching opportunities.
A key factor in these numbers is Kohli’s frequent positioning at “hot spots,” where the ball travels at high speeds, increasing the likelihood of errors. Despite this, he has produced some incredible catches both within the 30-yard circle and near the boundary, underlining his value as a fielder.
Rohit Sharma follows closely on this list with 33 dropped catches during the same time frame, while Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Shreyas Iyer have dropped 16, 13, and 12 catches, respectively.
Although these figures highlight areas for improvement, they don’t overshadow India’s reputation as a top-tier fielding side. Kohli, in particular, continues to be a game-changer with his ability to take stunning catches and create match-defining moments.
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