IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2024. (Source – Twitter/X)

Cricket may be a game of bat and bowl, but there is one more department that is crucial to a team’s success – fielding. If a team is strong in all three departments, then they have a high chance of winning any tournament. Fielders are a bowler’s best friend. They usually compliment the effort of the bowlers, but sometimes a major chunk of a particular wicket goes to the fielders for their brilliance in the field.

In T20 cricket, the batters show no mercy to the opposition and it is necessary for the bowlers and fielders to capitalize on every opportunity. A failure could cost them the game. Many teams have quality fielders in their lineup in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Let’s see which is the best fielding unit in the marquee event.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Rating top teams based on their bowling unit

10. Bangladesh

Bangladesh Cricket Team. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Recently, the Bangladesh team was trolled on social media after a video of five fielders running to stop a boundary during a Test match against Sri Lanka went viral. Experienced campaigner Mahmudullah has taken the most catches (50 catches in 131 matches) for The Tigers. Soumya Sarkar and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan are brilliant on the field.

9. Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket. (Source – Twitter/X)

Pakistan cricket team has always been a victim of trolls and criticism for their sloppy fielding. Hasan Ali’s dropped catch by Australia’s Matthew Wade in the 2021 semi-final still haunts every Pakistani. In the upcoming event they should be more cautious on the field and avoid butter fingers. However, they have some excellent fielders like Shadab Khan, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.

8. Afghanistan

Afghanistan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: BCCI)

Afghanistan’s World Cup squad is a mix of both veterans and youngsters. Experienced campaigners like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan are brilliant on the field, while Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat are always ready to seize every opportunity. Like the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Asian team is expected to upset some favourites this time around.

7. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Team. (Photo Source: Sri Lanka Cricket)

Sri Lanka were once a leading force in international cricket across formats but lost its lustre in recent times. Their only T20 World Cup triumph came in 2014 and they are looking to have a strong campaign this time around. They have some excellent fielders like Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva.

Notably, Shanaka has taken the most catches (37 in 97 matches) for Sri Lanka in the T20 format. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews are in the third and fourth positions respectively with 27 catches.

6. West Indies

West Indies Cricket Team. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

West Indies are generally natural athletes and can cover large areas of the ground while fielding. Caribbeans may be a bit weak in bowling compared to other teams but they are always good in batting and fielding. Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, captain Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase are always energetic on the field.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Rating top teams designated finishers based on form

5. England

England. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)

England will certainly miss the services of Ben Stokes in all departments at the marquee event. However, they still have quality fielders to control the run flow. All-rounders like Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran and Will Jacks are always alert on the field and reluctant to allow the opposition to score easy runs. Also, if captain Jos Buttler decides to give the gloves to Jonny Bairstow or Phil Salt, they’ve got a gun fielder in the outfield.

4. Australia

Australia. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Australia will gain superpowers when they enter any major tournament and that power will be distributed equally across all three departments. The Australians are no slouch on the field and they have some electrifying patrollers across the ground. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell and veteran opener David Warner have been phenomenal on the field. Maxi usually fields deep areas and he doesn’t leave any chances. Warner, who usually fields at slip or mid-wicket, has a good success rate in the shortest format.

Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, captain Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis are also brilliant on the field and can change the course of the game on their days. Head’s catch of India captain Rohit Sharma in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup still haunts Team India and their fans.

3. South Africa

South Africa Team ( Source: X / Twitter )

Fielding is in the genes of South African cricketers. The legendary Jonty Rhodes is regarded as one of the greatest fielders of all time and many Proteas players have displayed similar prowess on the field over the years. David Miller and captain Aiden Markram will be the main forces on the field for South Africa in the upcoming World Cup. Reeza Hendricks and youngster Tristan Stubbs are also strong guns in the outfield. 

2. New Zealand

New-Zealand. (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama / AFP) (Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand have always been blessed with quality fielders in their squads and they have some strong arms this time too. Glenn Phillips is a top-class fielder who could turn a game on its head with a spectacular piece of effort in the field. Kane Williamson, positioning himself inside the 30-yard circle, never fails to grab a chance. It’s not common to see a fast bowler’s name in the list of best fielders, but Trent Boult defies stereotypes.

Fielding in deep positions in limited overs cricket, Boult has the ability to sprint across the field and deny the ball from touching the ropes. He is also a brilliant catcher and sometimes stuns everyone with his reflexes during his own bowling. Spin all-rounders Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell also have strong hands.

1. India

Team India, T20 World Cup 2024. (Source – Twitter/X)

India have the presence of top-class fielders in their ranks, which makes them top in this list. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is one of the finest fielders of the modern era. Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the other two names that first come to mind in this category. While Kohli patrols all parts of the field, including the slips, Rohit usually fields inside the 30-yard circle and Jadeja in the outfield. Suryakumar Yadav, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also never lose their grip on the field.