Wellington (New Zealand), Apr. 6: Indian cricketer and former captain Rahul Dravid has broken the world record for the most number of catches in test matches by an outfielder.

When Dravid helped to dismiss the New Zealand batsman, Tim McIntosh, in Wellington, it was his 182nd catch in a test career going back to 1996, reports the BBC.

Dravid''s landmark was reached on the fourth day of India''s third Test match against New Zealand at Wellington.

The previous record holder was Mark Waugh of Australia.

Dravid, 36, is now clearly ahead of Ricky Ponting (148 catches in 131 Tests), Jacques Kallis (147 catches in 131) and Mahela Jayawardene (142 catches in 102) among current players.

"Dravid has spent a lifetime in Sachin Tendulkar''s shadow and the big batting records - centuries, number of runs scored - were never going to be his, but he is quite on his own in the slips," according to Sambit Bal, editor of cricinfo. com, a cricket website.

Last year, Dravid became only the sixth batsman in history to score 10,000 Test runs.

He has compiled 26 Test centuries and 56 fifties, earning the nickname "The Wall" for his obdurate style of play.

Dravid, who was appointed the captain of the Indian team in October 2005, resigned from the job in September 2007.

He captained India in 25 Tests - winning eight, losing six and drawing 11 - and 79 one-day internationals. (ANI)