Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel said that Team India are working on their fielding – a weakness that could prove costly in the ongoing T20 World Cup as well. Team India have been poor in the field as well.
“Obviously fielding is something that we speak about a lot,” the India bowling coach said. “That I think at times we’re guilty if we’re honest of giving away maybe 15-20 runs in the field. So that’s one thing, one aspect that we keep on working hard and asking the guys to really step up on.”
“In terms of learning, there’s always learning and growth that we take, but especially looking at this game here, we don’t want to over-analyse too much of the past games played. I think for us it’s just again focusing on what we’ve got in front of us and we have to be at our best tomorrow to beat England,” he again shared.
However, team India have taken 33 catches, but they have dropped 13 in the tournament so far, their catching efficiency being 71.7 percent as well. They rank 15th among the 20 teams that took part in the T20 World Cup as well.
“Nobody looks to drop a catch on purpose,” Morkel said. “It’s not like we don’t train it. There’s a lot of focus going into our fielding. That was one of the key points heading into the World Cup. It’s just to keep on doing the hard work, really focusing on specifics, getting certain players into the hot spots and the right areas and at times it’s hard to do that because you’re also working against overrate.”
“So the responsibility that the players need to take on the field is to find yourself in a position, in the hot zones and to work a little bit extra. And if we can get the right players in those positions, hopefully we can take the catches,” he shared.
However, bowling has also been exposed in some matches where star india spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has struggled as well.
“I don’t know if you expect us to bowl every team out for 120, 150. We’re in the semi-final and we’ve won games of cricket and the guys have done well,” Morkel said.
As for Varun Chakaravarty, Morne Morkel may be putting pressure on himself since expectations are quite high from him.
“I can’t reveal his process, but I keep on telling him that in our bowling lineup, with the skill and variation Varun’s got, he’s got the ability to take a wicket almost every ball. So if he goes for a boundary (it means), he’s not executed as well as possible. For him it’s just to move on to the next one and make sure he commits to that next ball,” he shared.
“I think he’s a highly skilful guy, hard to pick once you walk into the crease. So for him it’s just about getting that confidence with the ball, getting his speed, his length, control right and not trying to overthink it. I think with Varun at times, to his credit, he wants to be a big performer for the team, so he’ll put a little bit of pressure on himself. But, he’s a match winner for us, and for him. It’s just to stay and bowl every ball and make sure it’s his best ball,” he stated.
‘He’s not a guy that worries too much about technique’ – Morne Morkel on Abhishek Sharma
Morne Morkel also backed Abhishek Sharma, who has been out of form in the T20 World Cup so far, scoring only 80 runs in six matches, which includes three back-to-back ducks as well.
“Sometimes this game can be hard on you, cruel on you. Similar situation that Sanju (Samson) found himself in, that in your career you’re going to find moments like this. This is good growth for him, it’s good learning for him. For a young guy finding his feet in international cricket, this will only help him down the line and for Indian cricket,” he added.
“Abhishek, his way of playing, one or two shots that can find him that rhythm, that can give him that confidence back. And that for me is a pleasing sign. He’s not a guy that worries too much about technique. Normally those sort of players take a lot more time to get into confidence. It’s a fresh page for him tomorrow, an opportunity to go and do well,” he again shared.
“(He) scored 100-here against England not so long ago. So for him, it’s just tapping into those little videos and looking at his feel-good moments and building a blueprint and knowing he’s starting on zero tomorrow. It’s a new opportunity for him and for him to make a play,” Morne Morkel concluded.
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