Most catches taken by an outfield player in a Test match career (male)

A spectacular one-handed slip catch by Joe Root (England) to dismiss India’s Karun Nair on day two of the Third Test at Lord’s, London, UK, on 11 July 2025 was the 211th catch of his Test career – more than any other non-wicket-keeping fielder in Test history. Root’s “stunning grab” took him one clear of India’s Rahul Dravid, who pouched 210 catches in 164 matches (301 innings) between 1996 and 2012.

Root took sole ownership of the record in his 156th match (296th innings) – eight fewer matches (and five fewer innings) than Dravid. Root made his Test debut in 2012. By comparison, the most catches taken by a wicket-keeper in a Test match career is 532, by South Africa’s Mark Boucher in 147 matches (281 innings) between 1997 and 2012.