South Africa’s Aiden Markram scripted history during India’s first-innings collapse in the Guwahati Test, equalling a long-standing world record for the most catches taken by a fielder in a single Test innings.
As India was bowled out for 201, Markram was exceptional in the field, holding on to all five chances that came his way. His standout moment came when he pulled off a stunning diving catch to dismiss Nitish Kumar Reddy, flying to his right as Marco Jansen demolished the Indian batting order with a hostile spell that earned him six wickets.
Markram’s five catches included the dismissals of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy, placing him among an elite group of fielders in Test cricket history.
With this achievement, Markram becomes only the 16th player ever to take five catches in a Test innings and just the second South African, following Graeme Smith’s effort against Australia at the WACA in 2012.
Among the players on this exclusive list, Steve Smith remains the only one to have accomplished the feat twice in his career.
Markram’s sharp fielding not only matched a world record but also played a crucial role in South Africa’s control of the match, highlighting his growing stature as one of the most complete cricketers in the modern game.
