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They say “catches win matches,” and cricket history proves it time and time again. But when catches are dropped — especially under pressure — they don’t just lose chances, they lose matches. Some dropped catches are just mistakes. Others? They become legends of heartbreak.
Here are the top 5 most iconic dropped catches that completely changed the course of the game and continue to haunt fans, players, and teams to this day.
1. Herschelle Gibbs Drops Steve Waugh – 1999 World Cup, Super Six
The Drop That Changed a World Cup
Steve Waugh flicked one straight to Gibbs, who caught it… and then tried to celebrate too early. The ball slipped out. Waugh, famously, said: “You’ve just dropped the World Cup.”
Waugh went on to score a match-winning hundred, and Australia went on to win the tournament.
Why It Mattered:
That dropped catch not only cost South Africa the match but also gave Australia the momentum to eventually win the World Cup.
2. Trent Boult Drops Stokes – 2019 World Cup Final
A Step Too Far
England was in desperate need during the final overs. Stokes skied one to long-on, and Boult took it cleanly… but stepped on the boundary rope.
What should have been the match-winning moment for New Zealand became 6 runs for England.
Why It Mattered:
That one dropped catch (turned into a six) brought England back into the game, tied the match, and eventually led to their first-ever World Cup win via Super Over.
3. Yasir Hameed Drops Sehwag – 2004 Multan Test
The Drop That Led to a Triple Hundred
Early in his innings, Sehwag mistimed a cut shot. Yasir Hameed had it… and let it go. Sehwag went on to smash 309 — the first triple century in Indian Test history.
Why It Mattered:
That dropped catch not only cost Pakistan a chance to control the match, but let India post a massive total and win by an innings.
4. Mitchell Starc Drops Brendon McCullum – 2015 World Cup Final
Let-Off in the First Over
McCullum was on 0, and Starc had him beat. The edge flew to slip, but it was spilled. Starc looked furious. Luckily, McCullum didn’t score much — but the dropped catch added early pressure.
Why It Mattered:
It could’ve changed the tone of the final from ball one. That dropped catch added nerves early on in a massive final. Australia had to work harder than they should have.
5. Dinesh Karthik Drops Moeen Ali – 2021 Chennai vs RCB, IPL
Game Turned on Its Head
Moeen skied a ball that should’ve been caught, but Karthik misjudged it. Moeen capitalized and turned the game around with a blistering finish.
Why It Mattered:
That dropped catch swung momentum to RCB’s favor and turned a winnable match into a heartbreak for Chennai.
Why Dropped Catches Matter in Cricket
- They Shift Momentum: A dropped catch gives a batter another life — and sometimes that second chance is all they need.
- Psychological Damage: Teams lose focus. Bowlers lose morale.
- Match Results Change: Many finals, big tournaments, and series have turned due to a single dropped catch.
Catches win matches — but dropped catches lose legacies. These five iconic moments weren’t just fielding errors. They were match-altering decisions — sometimes costing a final, a record, or even a World Cup.
FAQ – Dropped Catches That Cost the Game
Q1: Why are dropped catches so important in cricket?
Dropped catches give batters an extra life — and in high-pressure games, even one mistake can shift momentum. They often lead to big scores or game-changing partnerships, making them one of the most critical errors in cricket.
Q2: What was the most costly dropped catch in World Cup history?
Herschelle Gibbs’ dropped catch of Steve Waugh in the 1999 World Cup is widely considered the most costly. It allowed Australia to win the match and eventually the World Cup.
Q3: Has a dropped catch ever changed the result of a final?
Yes. In the 2019 World Cup Final, Trent Boult’s dropped catch of Ben Stokes (stepping on the boundary) gave England six runs instead of a dismissal — changing the entire course of the match.