From 2014 to 2021, India Cricket Team was a formidable fielding side. While many credit MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, the real reason was R Sridhar. But as T Dilip took charge in 2021, things have gone downhill. In Test, ODIs and T20s — all formats, Team India’s fielding has been poor. On Sunday, in IND vs NZ Cricket World Cup clash, it was another no-show from fielders as Rohit Sharma left frustrated. And as the trend continues, one can’t help but ask: is T Dilip on his way out? His contract is up for renewal after WC 2023.
With dropping fielding standards, T Dilip had introduced a medal ceremony for the best fielders in a match. But it hasn’t quite worked out. Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja dropped a sitter in search of medals.
As a result, despite striking early, India let New Zealand come back in the game. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell added 159 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Daryl Mitchell survived twice while Rachin Ravindra was given an additional lifeline in the IND vs NZ clash.
Fielding no-show
Drop 1: Ravindra Jadeja is not someone to drop catches. But it was an off day for him as well. It was a regulation catch in the 11th over at the backward point as Rachin Ravindra tried to play Mohammad Shami in the square. But he hit it directly at Jadeja, who failed to grab it. Rachin Ravindra went on to score 75.
Drop 2: KL Rahul is slowly establishing himself as a full-time wicketkeeper-batter. But he too could not get that one in the 30th over. It was a tough one but any keeper should take that catch. Daryl Mitchell tried to go aerial and exposed all three stumps before the ball was bowled. Jadeja bowled a full delivery which Mitchell intended to hit over cover. However, the ball took a big outside edge and hit Rahul’s gloves but the keeper couldn’t hold onto it.
Drop 3: Jasprit Bumrah is another fielder who does not miss many chances. But he also dropped a regulation catch for which he went through at least a thousand catching drills. With Kuldeep Yadav creating a chance, Daryl Mitchell skied it on a lofted drive in the long off in the 33rd over. But Bumrah spilt it for a boundary. Mitchell went on to score a century.
Will BCCI fire T Dilip?
With the end of Cricket World Cup, BCCI will have many contracts to go through. Along with Rahul Dravid, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, batting coach Vikram Rathour and fielding coach T Dilip will be up for renewal in December. And with T20 World Cup 2024 in June, BCCI will need to take some tough calls.
And IND vs NZ wasn’t a one off. During Asia Cup, India had poor fielding records as well. And it wasn’t just fielding in the deep or taking catches. India have gone down a notch in slip catching, fielding at the boundary line as well as fielding inside the circle. And that is a cause for concern.
“Sloppy from India, really! This is straightforward. Ample time. No excuse though from the keeper’s point of view. This is as straightforward as it can get,” Ravi Shastri said during a commentary stint.
Even Sunil Gavaskar was not so happy and questioned India’s dropped chances at slip during England tour and against Australia at home.
Before the Cricket World Cup began, a senior BCCI official told InsideSport that a lot will depend on India’s performance. If India go on to win the Cricket World Cup title, dropped catches in IND vs NZ will just be an off day. But if India fail to win the title at home, all those will catch up.
“It’s time to focus on winning the World Cup and not demoralise the team or coaching staff with speculations. But with every team and every World Cup cycle, there is a change. For sure, winning the Asia Cup was the only significant achievement. Fielding has been poor, we have had too many injuries. And those things must improve. We will discuss after the World Cup,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport after the Asia Cup triumph in September.
