Listing the number of dropped catches and ranking the catching efficiency of each 2025 IPL team
We need to talk about the alarming number of dropped catches in the 2025 Indian Premier League.
Has there ever been such a high number of dropped catches in the IPL in previous editions?
Let’s understand the catching efficiency of each of the 10 IPL teams – represented as a percentage, from best to worst. Read on for more.
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 82.1% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
It’s understandable why RCB might actually win their first ever IPL this season and remain firmly among the favourites to do this – they have been one of the best teams in the field.
With a catching efficiency stretching toward the mid-80s, Virat Kohli and company have been leading by example in the deep, behind the wicket and within the inner ring. At the time of writing, RCB had only dropped seven catches in this year’s IPL.
2. Mumbai Indians – 80% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
Still in pursuit of a record sixth Indian Premier League title, Mumbai are relying on a complete approach, including fielding, not just batting and bowling.
They have some livewires in the field, including Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, while even older veterans such as Rohit Sharma are holding their own. They’ve dropped eight catches this season.
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad – 76.9% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
The Sunrisers Hyderabad are still looking to add to their one and only IPL title from 2016. It’s highly unlikely they will get that right this year, but they are still in with a chance of reaching the play-offs.
Besides their struggling batting, SRH can look at their poor catching effort. They’ve dropped nine catches, which is rather unbecoming of a fielding XI that includes Travis Head and other hotshot catchers.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders – 74% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
They’re the reigning champions and looking for a fourth IPL to title, but the Kolkata Knight Riders are probably going to need an improved effort in the field if they want to go all the way again.
Names such as Sunil Narine and Andre Russell are big tickets when it comes to runs and wickets, but it’s catches they need as well. KKR have dropped seven catches in the 2025 IPL.
5. Punjab Kings – 72.5% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
Like Bangalore, the Punjab Kings are also chasing a maiden Indian Premier League title. Having collected 13 dropped catches in the 2025 IPL so far, though, it’s going to take a lot more from them to remain in the hunt.
Captain Shreyas Iyer is going to keep leading by a stronger example here, trusting that Marco Jansen and others will follow suit.
6. Gujarat Titans – 71.9% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
The Gujarat Titans won the IPL title in their first ever season, but have arguably gone a bit off the boil since. This year, at least, this can be put down to their difficulties with catching.
They have dropped 11 catches and have been close to shelling a few more. Their ground fielding has been solid enough, but really it’s when the ball’s been in the air that they have been challenged the most. The Titans have dropped 11 catches.
7. Lucknow Super Giants – 71.4% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
With Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and many other international figureheads in their ranks, LSG have put together one of the weaker fielding and catching displays in the 2025 IPL.
They are also looking for their first IPL title, but are not going to get it this year if they don’t pull themselves together in terms of catching. At the time of writing, the Super Giants had grassed 14 catches.
8. Delhi Capitals – 70.8% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
Yet another team chasing a maiden IPL title amid the historical tournament dominance of the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, Delhi will demand better from themselves in the field from here on in.
Axar Patel’s team have had a few clangers along the way, spilling 15 catches. Mitchell Starc and company really need to be stronger on this front going forward.
9. Chennai Super Kings – 63.3% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
It’s not looking as though CSK are going to record their sixth IPL title this year. They lost their captain Ruturaj Gaikward to injury for the rest of the tournament. He was one of their best fielders.
Ravindra Jadeja is reliable in the field. The arrival of Dewald Brevis could be a good injection, but CSK have a long way to go to make up for their 16 dropped catches in the 2025 IPL so far.
10. Rajasthan Royals – 62.5% catching efficiency in 2025 IPL
With 11 dropped catches, a high number of misfields, run-outs and other opportunities lost in the field, Rajasthan have been the worst fielding and catching team in the 2025 India Premier League.
Riyan Pirag and company will want to do better. England star Jofra Archer will insist on international fielding standards. Perhaps we’ll see significant improvement from them soon, even if a play-off berth is effectively out the window.