Former India head coach Ravi Shastri slammed India’s poor fielding in the first T20I against Australia at IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. The Men in Blue had to bear the brunt of sloppy fielding and poor death bowling as they failed to defend 208 runs on Tuesday, September 20.
The hosts failed to defend 55 runs in the final four overs and some dropped catches proved to be costly in the end. Ravi Shastri was left shellshocked at the quality of fielding, calling it sloppy, and pointed out that something drastic needs to change if India are to beat top teams moving forward.
The former cricketer, who during his time as coach, often compared the Indian unit under him to some of the greatest teams in the past, feels the current side is lacking teeth when it comes to fielding.
“If you look at all the top Indian teams over the years, there is youth and experience. I find the youth missing here and hence the fielding. If you look at the last five-six years, fielding wise, I think this side is no match to any of the top sides when it comes to fielding.
Has to be the worst fielding show in the last five-six years. https://t.co/YzYX9Objh5
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) September 20, 2022
“And that can hit badly in big tournaments. It means that as a batting side you have to get that 15-20 runs game after game, because if you look around the field, where is brilliance? There is no Jadeja. Where is that X-factor?” Shastri said on air during the 1st T20I.
“I think you need a big upping of the ante” – Ravi Shastri on India’s feilding
India dropped more or less three chances during the series opener against Australia. However, the most important drop that hurt India was that of Matthew Wade, who blasted an unbeaten 45 off 21 balls to see his side through. He was on one when Harshal Patel dropped a caught and bowled chance.
Ravi Shastri believes the team really needs to turn things around if they wish to win ICC tournaments. He concluded by saying:
“What I was disappointed today with was the standard of fielding. I mean, it looks sloppy and I think you need a big upping of the ante when it comes to the fielding if you have to beat big sides in big competitions.”
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