Durban, Dec 28: Indian middle-order batsman Rahul Dravid on Monday became the first cricketer to take 200 Test catches when he caught Dale Steyn brilliantly at slip during the second Test against South Africa.
Dravid had to dive full-length to his left to hold on to the catch. It was perhaps appropriate that Dravid should reach the landmark with a one-handed stunner rather than a regulation catch in the slips.
Catch taken, Harbhajan Singh lifted Dravid off the ground and the duo set off on a celebratory run. Dravid has taken an astonishing 50 catches off Harbhajan now. The second most successful partnership between bowler and (catching) fielder is the Anil Kumble-Rahul Dravid combination with a tally of 55 catches.
Dravid (149 Tests) is at the top the list of most number of catches in Tests. Former Australian opener Mark Waugh is second with 181 catches from 128 Tests, followed by Australian skipper Ricky Ponting who has 174 catches from 151 Tests.
Ab de Villiers, South African batsman and fielding ace, had high praise for the Dravid on the occasion. “He’s not the youngest so he doesn’t move around as much, but it was a truly amazing catch. Reflex catches are one of those where you are happy to take it and Rahul took a blinder today. It wasn’t one of the big batters, but still, well done to him,” he said.
