Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has slammed the standards in Indian fielding in recent times and more so in the ongoing series against Australia. India have dropped as many as 20 catches across all the games against Australia which have cost the team dearly. India lost the ODI series 2-1 and also the first test in Adelaide. in the first test especially, India dropped as many as five chances in the Australian first innings.
In Adelaide, the Indian fielders dropped Marnus Labuschagne multiple times before dropping Tim Paine with Australia seven down for 111 and still 133 runs behind India. The Australia skipper took them to within 53 runs of India’s total of 244 from where they could fight back and win. Even the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli have dropped easy catches on the tour so far.
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Meanwhile, Kaif urged the Indian fielding to improve their fielding standards saying they have been dropping catches since the IPL.
“We see brilliant catches, but overall if someone says Indian fielding is improving I will avoid commenting because what I’ve seen over the past five-six months, Indians have fielded very poorly, they have to improve a lot,” said Mohammad Kaif.
“Everyone is dropping, it is happening since IPL. Players had come straight from lock-down to IPL — there was rustiness I can understand since fielding is directly connected to fitness. Players were there for four months at home, it is not easy. But after three-four months, even in Australia, it is happening. That is an issue to be worried about,” added Kaif.
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Missed Catches a Result of Less Training: Mohammad Kaif
He further said that the missed catches are a result of less training on the part of the Indian cricketers. He further said that Indian cricketers would be selected based on their fielding skills as well apart from their batting and bowling skills.
“It is all a result of less training. Strictly speaking, a player should be selected in the XI only if he reaches a standard of fielding. A lot of catches are being dropped. Even Virat Kohli is dropping catches” concluded Mohammad Kaif who was up there with the best fielders during his playing days.
