Top 8 strongest throwing arms in IPL history

Ravindra-Jadeja. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), all sides need exceptional fielders who should remain alert to take up difficult challenges with ease. T20 cricket is known for moving at a swift pace and in this format batters look to amass runs with rapidity. In that situation, bowling teams expect their fielders to display extraordinary sides to contain their opponents.

The cash-rich league will turn 16 with its 17th season in 2024 and during these years, it saw several fielders who exhibited their talent with exceptional direct hits and saves. Speaking more about it, let’s recall some fielders who stunned their opponents by using their strong arms and performing direct-hit run-outs.

Here are the top 8 strongest throwing arms in IPL history

8. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo remained active in the league for 15 years and during this period, he served top teams such as Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Gujarat Lions (GL). During his playing days, he was regarded as one of the greatest players in the league due to his superb all-round skills.

He is the fourth-most successful fielder for Super Kings with 64 catches in 130 games. Bravo’s one of many amazing fielding pieces came against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2015 IPL. Defending 148 runs for his side, he displayed alacrity while bowling.

In the 14th over of the game, RCB skipper Kohli stepped out to play a shot against Bravo but the West Indies stalwart fielded the ball and threw it at the striker’s end instantly. The large screens on the ground showed the ball hit the stumps and Kohli fell short of the crease. Bravo’s direct hit became a game-changer as Bangalore’s batting collapsed and capitulated to 124.

7. Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard remained a loyal servant for Mumbai Indians (MI) from the beginning to the end of his IPL career. In his vast 12-year stint, he made a vital contribution to Mumbai’s five IPL title successes with his remarkable all-round talent. As a batter, he is the second-leading run-scorer for MI, with 3915 runs in 211 matches at a strike rate of 147.01.

Along with batting, he was also known for his brilliant fielding talent. The Caribbean player tops MI’s best fielder chart with 113 catches in 211 games. In the T20 extravaganza, one might have seen Pollard grabbing stunners while fielding at deep but besides that, he has also sent batters back to the pavilion with his direct hits.

In the 2021 IPL, MI supporters saw Pollard doing wonders as a fielder against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Sharjah. The Windies’ player’s direct hit from the mid-on area against Shikhar Dhawan gave a tough moment to DC, who registered a four-wicket win in the end.

6. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was one of the best fielders in international cricket in the 2000s. The star player was also part of Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Pinjab) from 2008-10 in IPL. Riding on superb batting and fielding skills, the franchise bagged a lot of games in those three years.

Captaining Punjab in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008, the left-handed batter looked sensational and led his team to the semi-final. As a fielder, he ended up as the Kings’ best fielder with seven catches in 15 innings.

In the intriguing contest against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, Yuvraj’s fielding effort helped his team emerge victorious. On the final delivery of the match, MI needed two to win, and the striker Vikram Yeligati played a shot towards short mid-off to steal a run. Yuvraj, who was deployed in the area, fielded the ball and dived at the stump to perform a direct hit. His excellent fielding broke MI fans’ hearts as Punjab won the game by just one run.

5. Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis played for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from 2012-21 and during this period, he pulled off some mind-boggling records for the Yellow Army. With the bat, he chipped in with 2932 runs in 93 innings at a strike rate of 132.07 and ended up as the third-leading run-getter for the franchise.

The veteran was outstanding for the Chennai-based franchise in the fielding department as well. With 66 grabs in 100 games, he is still the third-most successful fielder for Super Kings. In 2022, he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the franchise appointed him the skipper of the side.

Playing his debut season for Challengers, he couldn’t win the trophy but gave some incredible moments to his team’s supporters. In his side’s eight-wicket win against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Wankhede Stadium, he outclassed Wriddhiman Saha with his direct hit. As an extra cover fielder, he outclassed Saha, who looked confused while completing the run.

4. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is called Mr IPL for his marvellous performance in the league. The legendary player was associated with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the majority of his league career and during his stint, he made vital contributions to the side with his cricketing excellence.

A lot of folks discuss Raina’s standout batting performance in Super Kings’ title victories but one more area where he made a silent contribution was fielding. The left-handed batter is the most successful fielder for the Chennai-based outlet, with 110 catches in 200 games.

In the 2018 IPL, Super Kings played their first game at their home ground MA Chidambaram Stadium after returning from a two-year suspension. The game was against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Robin Uthappa was dominating CSK bowlers. At the crucial time, Raina exhibited his fielding prowess again.

On the second delivery of the ninth over, Uthappa played a stroke towards covers which was stopped by Raina through a diving effort. The save caused confusion between Uthappa and his partner Dinesh Karthik. Karthik headed towards the striker’s end speedily and with that, the right-handed batter had no option but to complete the run. Raina, who was at the short cover area, grabbed the opportunity and stunned the KKR stalwart with a direct hit.

3. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell has won a lot of matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since 2021. Utilising his all-round skills, he has delivered impactful numbers to the team with his bat. In 2022, the Aussie looked decent as a batter, racking up 301 runs in 13 matches at a brilliant strike rate of 169.10.

During the season, the Australian player looked stunning as a fielder as well. His athletic grabs at the slip to dismiss Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) Quinton de Kock and Gujarat Titans’ (GT) Shubman Gill grabbed a lot of eyeballs. Besides that, his fielding exploits against Mumbai Indians (MI) also caught a lot of attention.

In the crucial game against the quality side, RCB registered a convincing seven-wicket win and Maxwell contributed with eight runs and a run-out performed against Tilak Varma. On the fifth delivery of the 10th over, Maxwell ran out nervous Varma on a duck with his direct hit. The dismissal became more special as the veteran Aussie covered a long way to send the young MI batter back to the pavilion.

2. David Warner

David Warner went through a gloomy phase of his IPL career in 2021 as he looked disastrous as a batter and captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Amidst the season, the SRH team management snatched captaincy from him and also ruled him out of the side’s playing XI.

In the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the southpaw exuded some confidence with his batting and fielding to guide his team to a comprehensive nine-wicket win. While fielding in the first innings of the game, he mauled dangerous Nicholas Pooran while guarding the cover area for his team.

Following two early wickets at a score of 39 in seven overs, PBKS were under immense pressure to accelerate the run rate, and on the first delivery of the eighth over, Chris Gayle and Pooran took a chance for a single but Warner wrecked their plans with a direct-hit run out against the latter.

1. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the exceptional fielders in the cash-rich league and he has proven it several times with his unprecedented performances. Back in 2017, when Gujarat Lions (GL) and Mumbai Indians (MI) locked horns with each other at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the all-rounder held his nerves in the crunch situation and executed an incredible dismissal while fielding.

In the final ball of the MI’s innings, Gujarat were required to save one run to take the game to the super over. Irfan Pathan bowled the last delivery against Lasith Malinga down the legside and the ball went towards Jadeja at the backward point after touching the MI stalwart’s pad.

The vigilant all-rounder picked the ball with confidence and hit it at the stumps instantly. The decision went to the third umpire and he eventually found the non-striker Krunal Pandya falling short of the crease. Gujarat couldn’t bag the game in the end but Jadeja received appreciation for his fielding effort.