Butter fingers: Catching efficiency on decline in IPL 2025

A recurring sight in IPL 2025, other than the usual big hits, has been the dropped catches. The first 40 matches in the season have seen 111 dropped catches so far, the most in an edition since 2020 till that point. The 40th match of the season was no different: in the first half itself, there were three dropped catches. Ayush Badoni received a reprieve in the 16th over when Tristan Stubbs bowled a relatively straightforward shot, despite the fact that the first two were arguably difficult. After that, Badoni scored 33 more runs before being run out in the 20th over. That was Stubbs' fourth dropped catch of the season, which tied him with Khaleel Ahmed for most this year. It didn't cost the visitors much, as they eased past the 160-run target with eight wickets and 13 balls to spare. There was a simple chance shelled down in the second half too, by Prince Yadav, but that came when DC were at a striking distance. In IPL 2025, one out of every four chances was converted, and the catching efficiency of 75.2 percent was the lowest after 40 matches since 2020. In addition, an inaccurate throw has resulted in 247 misfields and 172 missed runouts, more than double the number at a comparable point in 2024. Fielding numbers after first 40 matches in the IPL since 2020 Mumbai Indians have been the best fielding side so far, with a catching efficiency of 83.6% and the least misfields (14). Their run-out efficiency is only matched by Delhi Capitals, but they hit the mark when it mattered, completing a thrilling victory in Delhi that has significantly revived their campaign with three run-outs in the same over. The idea of "catches win matches" might seem to take a backseat while looking at the overall numbers. In IPL 2025, the catching efficiency was 77.3 percent in wins (56 drops) and 73.3 percent in losses (49 drops). Six missed catches contributed to the tie between DC and RR, four of which fell to DC, who went on to win the Super Over with two points. However, a closer examination reveals more context. The first dropped in that tied finish in Delhi was that of Stubbs, Riyan Parag being the culprit. Stubbs went unbeaten at 34* off 18 as DC added 58 in the subsequent four overs. In the run-chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, and Sanju Samson were spared, which would have hurt the hosts but for Mitchell Starc's skill at the back end. Fielding inefficiency has hurt CSK the most, with 16 missed chances. On a day when RCB broke through the Chepauk fortress for the first time since 2008, Rajat Patidar had three lucky runs in his 32-ball 51. In Guwahati and Mullanpur, respectively, Nitish Rana and Priyansh Arya received early reprieves for their match-winning efforts. In addition to the non-dismissal off a no-ball, Abhishek Sharma was dropped twice during his brilliant 55-ball 141 against Punjab Kings. RR, the other team in the bottom half of the table, dropped both Virat Kohli and Phil Salt in their first game in Jaipur, and the pair duly capitalised. Since 2024, only two stumpings have been missed in the IPL. One of those missed stumpings was made by Rishabh Pant in the last over against DC at Visakhapatnam, costing his team two crucial points. Actually, Pant has dropped three catches thus far, which is the most by a keeper. The IPL - a two-month long tournament - has historically seen little moments making a decisive difference, with fine net run-rate margins reviving hopes and shattering dreams at the business end. The fielding could have a similar impact to the big hits, piercing yorkers, and spin magic.