KL Rahul’s brilliant overhead catch to dismiss Stuart Broad off Ravindra Jadeja on the second day of the fifth Test between India and England at the Oval etched his name into history books, taking him on par with a long-standing Indian record for most catches in a single Test series.
It was Rahul’s 13th catch of the series making him the only cricketer to take so many catches in a single series in England. South Africa’s John Ikin, who took 12 catches in 1951 held the record earlier.
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The record also puts Rahul on level with Rahul Dravid, who is considered to be one of the world’s best slip fielders. Dravid, a former Indian captain, had taken the same number of catches against Australia in the four-match Test series in the 2004-05 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Among the other fielders, who have taken 13 catches in a single Test series are Brian Lara of West Indies and Bob Simpson of Australia. Both of them achieved the feat twice in their career. While Lara did it against India (2006) and England (1997-98), Simpson had done it against South Africa (1957-58) and West Indies (1960-61).
The overall record for most catches in a single Test series, however, belongs to Australian legend Jack Greggory, who held on to 15 catches in the 1920-21 Ashes. He is followed by fellow countryman Greg Chappell, who managed 14 in the 1974-75 Ashes series.
KL Rahul, who has turned to become one of India’s best slip catchers in the ongoing Test series against England took seven catch in a single innings during the third match at Trent Bridge, which is the most by a non-wicketkeeper in a Test in England and the second-most by an Indian fielder in any Test match.