IPL 2021: The Best Fielders XI In The Tournament

Fielding is a massive part of any format in cricket today, mainly in a high-octane T20 league like IPL. Cricketers who are fine outfielders can lift the morale of the team ten-fold when the chips are down. The diving saves, the breath-taking catches, and affecting run-outs in the unlikeliest of the circumstances could massively tilt the scales in favour of any team. The same could also unsettle the mentality of the opposition, finding their counterparts are on fire.

Like all the previous years, even the current edition that has lasted only 31 matches so far, has witnessed some electric and jaw-dropping fielding displays. With the shortest format operating at a fast pace, the fielders are required to stay alert and anticipate movements from the batsmen exceptionally well all the time. The best catches from every game also get a hefty prize money as rewards in the post-match presentations, motivating them to be better.

We take a look at fielders XI from IPL 2021:

Shikhar Dhawan:

Apart from being a consistent run-getter in the tournament history, Delhi Capitals’ Shikhar Dhawan is also one of the best fielders. Shikhar Dhawan finished the first leg of the tournament as the highest run-getter with 380 runs in eight matches at 54.28 by maintaining a decent strike rate of 134.27 with three fifties. Being one of the experienced players of the side, Dhawan played risk-free strokes to shape Delhi Capitals’ several victories.

As one of the fittest cricketers today, the Delhi-born cricketer is a massive asset on the field. Shikhar Dhawan, who has taken eight catches this year, not only takes those skiers comfortably than most fielders, but also recovers well after putting a dive. The southpaw is also quick on his feet, capable of preventing the doubles by running rapidly to throw the ball to the keeper or bowler.

Faf Du Plessis:

Chennai Super Kings’ opener Faf Du Plessis is yet another flexible and agile fielder in IPL. Faf Du Plessis boasted of one of the highest averages in IPL 2021 amongst the top five run-getters, averaging 64 in seven games by scoring 320 runs and kept a healthy strike rate of 145.45. The right-handed batsman’s calm accumulation of runs at the top and going on to unleash later was one of the significant factors responsible for the Super Kings’ resurgence.

As a fielder, the former South African skipper has taken plenty of stunners comfortably, mainly at the boundary line. Du Plessis’ willingness to put a dive every time also defies his age, considering he is on the wrong side of the 30s. Nevertheless, Du Plessis dropping a catch off Kieron Pollard’s bat in Chennai’s most recent match was a shocker as it was an absolute sitter and should’ve been the simplest of chances for him.

Virat Kohli:

Indian and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli is one of the most impactful cricketers of this era. As much value brings for India, Virat Kohli is equally invaluable for his IPL franchise. The right-handed batsman is the highest run-getter in the tournament history, with 6076 runs and was in decent form this year despite scoring only one fifty.

While Virat Kohli has certainly dropped some catches recently, there is little to debate that 32-year old is one of the gun fieldsmen. As a captain, he sets an example for his teammates by showing his intensity on the field, saving valuable runs by diving and taking screamers. However, Kohli won’t be entirely satisfied by his current fielding standards and will want to improve with time.

Steve Smith:

While Steve Smith might not be heavily amongst the runs this season, he has chipped in with some valuable knocks and been an asset on the field. Steve Smith is amongst the best fielders in the Delhi Capitals outfit and the unit has been significantly responsible for their supremacy this year. And Smith, who has taken seven catches, could certainly boast about taking the second-most for the franchise this year.

The New South Wales lad won the award for the best catch three times consecutively this year. In one of the matches, Smith was seen captaining himself on the field, wanting to be proactive. As one of the most senior-most members of the Capitals, he has been thoroughly helpful to Rishabh Pant, often addressing the members during team talks.

Kieron Pollard:

While Kieron Pollard’s batting is his strongest suit, the towering all-rounder is a stunning fieldsman as well. Pollard’s dives and flexibility defy his heavy body and despite these factors, he dives exceptionally well when the situation demands. The Trinidad & Tobago all-rounder sometimes also covers a lot of ground to save boundaries by running like a tracer bullet.

Riyan Parag:

Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag has emerged as the latest name amongst the best fielders. If not with the bat and ball, Riyan Parag has done justice to his consistent selection in the playing XI as a fieldsman. Riyan Parag has adopted a knack of taking some of the most challenging catches very comfortably.

The Assam-born cricketer has one of the safest hands and catches the ball easily even if the batsmen hit it flat and hard. Parag has so far pouched six catches in seven games in IPL 2021. As for his batting skills, Parag has been pooer thus far, managing only 78 runs in seven matches this year at 19.50, keeping a strike rate of 144.44.

MS Dhoni (wk):

Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni’s return to the lucrative T20 league was one of the most anticipated ones this year. With MS Dhoni struggling with the bat and the franchise finishing at the lower half of the points table last year, there were doubts on whether the keeper-batsman would play the cash-rich league this year. But the veteran has returned in style.

As a captain, MS Dhoni undeniably reinstated his authority this year by managing the spinners exceptionally well to register some of the most crushing wins. His leadership has been instrumental in keeping the yellow army amongst the top four sides in the points table thus far. But the 39-year old also showed off his fielding skills when he got rid of Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana by taking a catch running several yards towards square leg. Thus, he still remains amongst the best keeper-batsmen.

Ravindra Jadeja:

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is undeniably a highly accomplished fielder today and a crucial member of the Indian team. Ravindra Jadeja can field at multiple positions and do the job efficiently and has a strong throwing arm. The left-handed batsman is also flexible, recovering fast after putting a dive and sprints real fast between the wickets.

The southpaw has taken the highest number of catches in IPL 2021 with eight. In the match against the Rajasthan Royals, the Saurashtra all-rounder pouched four and also affected a breath-taking run-out against the Punjab Kings. Jadeja has been in brilliant form overall as well, maintaining a batting strike rate of 161.72 and picking six wickets in seven games.

Chetan Sakariya:

Rajasthan Royals left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya has been an outstanding find for the franchise. After struggling in IPL 2020 mainly due to their bowling unit, the inaugural IPL champions has found a bowler who could swing the new ball both ways. Chetan Sakariya, aside from his excellent bowling, has been a remarkable fieldsman too.

The youngster snared a brilliant catch in his IPL debut against the Punjab Kings when he dove to his left to take a stunning catch, dismissing Nicholas Pooran. The left-arm seamer also timed his jump correctly against Dinesh Karthik’s flat hit to take an outstanding catch at extra cover. Hence, all these are evidences that he is developing into a gun fielder.

Trent Boult:

New Zealand and Mumbai Indians new-ball seamer Trent Boult is one of the fittest cricketers in the world at present. Trent Boult is a scary prospect for the batsmen not only when the ball is in his hand, but also when the left-arm seamer fields. The 31-year old continues to stun the cricketing fraternity with his fielding exploits across formats.

Trent Boult took one of the stunning catches in the 2019 edition of the IPL, playing for the Delhi Daredevils. Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli flicked a full toss from Harshal Patel to deep square leg. Boult not only prevented a certain boundary, but used his height to good effect by stretching his hand upwards as the ball stuck in his hand. Boult continues to field well and gives total commitment for the Mumbai Indians; however, he remains doubtful for the second leg of IPL 2021.

Ravi Bishnoi:

Punjab Kings leggie Ravi Bishnoi has raised his standards of fielding drastically, taking two stunning catches to dismiss Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Harshal Patel. Ravi Bishnoi has also added an extra layer of strength in Punjab Kings’ bowling unit, deceiving the batsmen with his mystery spin.

While the youngster committed plenty of misfields that cost his team plenty of runs, one would trust that Bishnoi would work it out with time. The 20-year old has taken four wickets in four matches in IPL 2021 thus far at 24.75, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.18 and will likely continue to impress more in the UAE.

Also Read: Remainder Of IPL 2021 To Be Played From September 19 To October 15: Rajeev Shukla