This record reflects the critical role of fielders in Test cricket, especially those positioned in slip positions who contribute significantly to dismissals. Markram’s achievement sets a new benchmark for fielding excellence and demonstrates how non-wicketkeepers can influence the game profoundly through their catching ability. Here are some top 5 most catches in a test by a non-wicket keeper:
- Aiden Markram: Aiden Markram set a world record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in a Test match by taking 9 catches in the second Test against India at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati in 2025. He took 5 catches in India’s first innings and 4 catches in the second innings. In the same match, Markram scored runs as well scored 38 runs in first innings and 29 in second innings. The match ended with South Africa winning by a significant margin, completing a 2-0 series sweep over India, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.
- Ajinkya Rahane: Ajinkya Rahane holds the record for the 2nd most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in a Test match, with eight catches taken in a single Test. This historic feat happened during the first Test of India’s 2015 tour of Sri Lanka at Galle. Rahane took three catches in the first innings and five more in the second innings to surpass the previous record of seven catches. Regarding his batting performance in that match, Rahane scored 126 runs in India’s second innings, which was a significant contribution to India’s victory in the match. This performance helped India secure the win in that Test.
- Greg Chappell: Greg Chappell holds the record for the 3rd most catches taken by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with 122 catches, half of them against England. He notably took 7 catches in a single Test match at Perth in the 1974-75 Ashes series, setting a world record for catches by a fielder in a Test match. In that match and during his career, he was a specialist slip fielder. In the match where he took the 7 catches (Perth, 1974-75 Ashes), Greg Chappell scored 108 runs in his debut Test match innings, which was a strong start to his Test career.
- Yajurvindra Singh: Yajurvindra Singh is noted for holding the record of the 4th most catches in a Test match by a non-wicketkeeper. This remarkable feat happened during his Test debut against England at Bangalore on February 2, 1977. In that match, he took seven catches five in the first innings and two in the second, equaling the record for most catches by a fielder in a Test match. Regarding the match and his batting performance, in that same Test, Singh scored 79 runs unbeaten on a tough wicket.
- Hashan Tillakaratne: Hashan Tillakaratne holds the record for taking 7 catches in a single Test match as a non-wicketkeeper, which places him 5th on the list of most catches in a Test by a non-wicketkeeper. This feat occurred during a match against New Zealand at Colombo (SSC) in 1992. In that same Test match, Tillakaratne scored 93 runs, nearly reaching a century while contributing significantly with the bat as well.
