Tilak Varma scripts history against New Zealand with record for most catches in T20Is in a calendar year

India batter Tilak Varma created history on Saturday, October 24, by setting a new world record for the most catches by a fielder in a calendar year in men's T20 Internationals (T20Is).

The Indian vice-captain reached the milestone during the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. He took catches to dismiss Tim Seifert and Daryl Mitchell, taking his tally to 26 catches in 2026 and surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Indonesia's Danilson Hawoe.

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Tilak achieved the feat in his 32nd T20I of the calendar year, while Hawoe had taken 25 catches in 41 matches for Indonesia in 2025. The milestone further highlights Tilak's contribution to India's fielding efforts in the shortest format.

Tilak Varma breaks Danilson Hawoe's T20I record

Before Tilak's achievement, Hawoe held the record for the most catches by an outfielder in men's T20Is in a calendar year, having taken 25 catches in 2025.

United Arab Emirates batter Muhammad Waseem occupies the third position on the list with 24 catches in 2024. Malaysia's Sharvin Muniandy recorded 21 catches in 2025, while Uganda's Brian Masaba and Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan took 20 catches each in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

Most catches by a fielder in a calendar year in T20Is

- 26 - Tilak Varma (India), 2026
- 25 - Danilson Hawoe (Indonesia), 2025
- 24 - Muhammad Waseem (UAE), 2024
- 21 - Sharvin Muniandy (Malaysia), 2025
- 20 - Brian Masaba (Uganda), 2023
- 20 - Tanzid Hasan (Bangladesh), 2025

Tilak Varma's fielding record in 2026

Tilak's record-breaking tally includes catches taken during India's T20 World Cup campaign and subsequent bilateral T20I matches.

He took two catches against the USA in India's T20 World Cup opener on February 7 and also registered catches against Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and England during the tournament.

In the final against New Zealand on March 8, Tilak took two catches, including the catch of Jacob Duffy that sealed India's victory in the summit clash.

He also took three catches in India's second T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi on September 15. During the first T20I against New Zealand on October 22, Tilak caught Finn Allen near the boundary ropes.

His latest catches against Seifert and Mitchell in Christchurch took him past Hawoe's record, establishing him as the leading fielder for catches in a single calendar year in men's T20Is.