When KL Rahul took a stunner at mid-on to dismiss Stuart Board on the second day of the fifth Test at the Oval on Saturday, he etched his name in cricket history book to become the first cricketer to take 13 catches in a Test series in England. The previous record belonged to South Africa’s John Ikin who took 12 catches way back in 1951.
Board, who was involved in a 98-run partnership with Jos Buttler, miscued a shot as the ball took a top edge of his bat and went high up. Rahul, who was at mid-on, was quick enough to cover quite a ground as he ran backward and stretched full body to complete the catch. After the catch, Rahul showed one and three with his fingers to mark his achievement.
With 13 catches in five Test matches till now in the series, KL Rahul has equalled Rahul Dravid’s record for most catches by an Indian in a Test series. Dravid took 13 catches in four Test matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia in 2004-05.
Meanwhile, Australia's JM Gregory tops the list of most catches in a series with 15 catches in five matches, which he had registered during 1920-21 Ashes series. Australia’s Greg Chappell is second on the list with 14 catches.
This is not the first time in the series that KL Rahul has broken a catching record. During the third Test match at Trent Bridge, KL Rahul took seven catches in an innings to break the record of most catches taken by any non-wicket keeper in a Test in England and the joint second-most by an India fielder in any Test.
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