Joe Root has now taken the most outfield catches in men’s Test history—and he did it with a moment of brilliance. On Day 2 of the second Test at Lord’s, Root took a jaw-dropping one-handed catch to dismiss Karun Nair and surpass Rahul Dravid’s long-standing world record.
Root Surpasses Dravid with 211th Test Catch
England’s former captain grabbed his 211th outfield catch in Test cricket, going past Dravid’s tally of 210. The catch came at a crucial moment in the match and had all the elements of a highlight-reel classic.
Commentating on the moment, Nasser Hussain summed it up perfectly:
“If you’re going to break a world record, you might as well do it in style.”
Root’s reaction and the crowd’s eruption confirmed the significance of the moment—not just statistically, but emotionally too.
How the Catch Happened
The catch came during the second session when Karun Nair, who had looked steady on 40, edged a delivery from Ben Stokes. Stokes had cleverly angled himself wide of the crease, deceiving Nair into playing a false stroke. The ball held its line and took the outside edge of the bat.
It flew low between wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and Joe Root at first slip. Though it was closer to Root, it was heading toward his weaker side and dipping fast. Despite the difficulty, Root dived sharply to his left and reached out with his left hand. He plucked the ball just inches above the ground.
Third Umpire Confirms Clean Catch
Karun Nair waited. The on-field umpires weren’t sure if the catch was clean and referred it upstairs. Replays confirmed Root had his fingers under the ball, and the third umpire ruled him out.
It was a big wicket for England. Nair had begun building a promising stand with KL Rahul after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early. The breakthrough disrupted India’s rhythm and energized the English camp.
World Record: Most Outfield Catches in Test Cricket
| Rank | Player | Catches |
| 1 | Joe Root | 211* |
| 2 | Rahul Dravid | 210 |
| 3 | Mahela Jayawardene | 205 |
| 4 | Steven Smith | 200 |
| 5 | Jacques Kallis | 200 |
| 6 | Ricky Ponting | 196 |
Root now stands alone at the top, and fittingly, his milestone moment came at the Home of Cricket—Lord’s.
Second Standing Ovation for Root on Day 2
This was the second time on Day 2 that the Lord’s crowd rose for Joe Root. Earlier in the morning, he received a loud cheer after guiding a Jasprit Bumrah delivery to the boundary to bring up his 37th Test century. Root’s knock had already lifted the crowd; his record-breaking catch added another layer to his legendary status.
England’s Slip Cordon’s Evolution
Root’s achievement highlights the evolution of England’s slip cordon. Once anchored by players like Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss, the responsibility now rests on players like Root, Ben Stokes, and Jamie Smith.
Root’s consistency and composure in the slips have earned him global recognition—not just as a batter but as one of the most reliable fielders in red-ball cricket.
Conclusion
Joe Root’s one-handed screamer wasn’t just a moment of athleticism—it was the culmination of years of sharp reflexes, commitment, and unmatched slip fielding. With 211 outfield catches to his name, Root has carved his place in history, going past legends like Dravid, Jayawardene, and Ponting.
And if breaking a world record requires something special, Root delivered—exactly when it mattered.
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