Rohit Sharma might be still cursing himself for missing a sitter on Axar Patel’s hat-trick ball against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy. Axar could’ve become the first Indian to claim a hat-trick in the Champions Trophy but missed it in an agonising fashion. Seems like it is better for Rohit to take more catches in order to forget that gaffe and also improve catching efficiency percentage.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Rohit is among the fielders who got the most catch chances in ODIs since 2023 and put down the most of them.
Rohit has never been a slouch in the field but has failed to hold on to 10 chances in total, while majorly fielding inside the circle in order to discuss fields with his bowlers.
West Indies’ Brandon King has also seen 22 chances fall to him but completed 14 of them whereas Rohit completed 12.
According to the statistics, over 26 players have had 20-plus catching chances in men’s ODIs since 2023. Along with King, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka has also managed to take 14 catches and foiled eight chances.
| Player | Chances | Dropped | Caught | Efficiency in % |
| Patthum Nissanka | 23 | 7 | 16 | 69.57 |
| Glenn Phillips | 23 | 7 | 16 | 69.57 |
| Charith Asalanka | 22 | 8 | 14 | 63.64 |
| Brandon King | 22 | 8 | 14 | 63.64 |
| Rohit Sharma | 22 | 10 | 12 | 54.55 |
New Zealand’s maverick fielder Glenn Phillips has had 23 chances and is much more efficient at 69.57 per cent. However, this might be the case of Phillips often flying towards the ball rather than the ball being hit straight at him.
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Phillips has begun his time in Pakistan in fine fashion having scored his maiden ODI hundred in the Tri-series followed by a rapidfire 61 off 39 balls against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opening match. He also pulled off a stunner while fielding at point to dismiss Pakistan captain Mohammed Rizwan as the Black Caps won the match by 60 runs.
Along with Phillips, Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka has also recorded a catching efficiency of 69.57 per cent having completed 16 catches and put down seven.
Catching efficiency is an easily quantifiable method, but efforts to save runs still remain the most crucial part of a fielder’s role on the cricketing pitch. Rohit has done that multiple times while fielding inside the circle during the opening powerplay.
The mockery he received after dropping a simple catch was inevitable but it’s no different than many greats of the game who had butter fingers. The chatter might cease or increase depending on how he bats against Pakistan on Sunday.
Speaking of catches, Virat Kohli is four away from Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s tally of 160 ODI catches. Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jaywardene, who has taken 218 catches in his 448 matches, is at the top of the list followed by Ponting and Kohli.
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