With 11 catches going down in two T20 games, Mike Young has his job cut out... What’s startling, former cricketers feel India’s new fielding consultant may not be able to make much of a difference.
Squaring the series, breaking the four-match losing streak may all be good reasons to celebrate for Team India. But numbers tell quite a different story. On Saturday, Yuvraj Singh bludgeoned Sri Lankan bowlers into submission and in the process overshadowed India’s yet another atrocious fielding performance.
Here’s the count. MS Dhoni’s boys have dropped 11 catches in their last two Twenty20 games — five in Nagpur and six in Mohali. Not to forget a few easy run-out chances. If so many can go down in a 20-over game, India can be only exposed even further in the ODI series starting Tuesday.
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin thought as much. “India were lucky to win on Saturday despite dropping six catches,” Azhar said, adding: “If they drop six in 20 overs, you can understand what will happen in 50-over games.”
This is surely not something the world No.1 Test side and an aspiring No.1 in ODI would be proud of. Former national coach Madan Lal is livid with the under-par on-field performance. “This will continue... you can’t be world-beaters with just two good fielders in the side,” said Lal, who coached India between 1996 and 1997.
But former chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar felt pressing the panic button should be avoided. “They fielded well during the Test series but shifting gears to the shorter format must have been difficult.” The former India captain felt that adjusting to the floodlights and ground conditions must have been an issue. “We have the potential to field well but bowling is a concern,” he said.
For the record, India bowled no less than 17 wides and conceded 24 extras in the Mohali T20. Lal has a different take on the issue. “Our bowling line-up isn’t really an intimidating one. So we need to back them with real good fielders, which is and will remain a blank space,” said the former all-rounder. The sight of Indian butterfingers would only show Mike Young, the new fielding consultant, the steep hill he has to climb. But Lal felt that notwithstanding the Australian’s efforts, the final result will be a mere 5-10 per cent improvement. “Players in the team are concerned more about their bowling and batting performances, forgetting how many catches and run-outs they miss,” blasted Lal.
Vengsarkar, however, adopted a more lenient approach. He felt that Young doesn’t have a magic wand to bring about changes in such a short time.
“If the team management is convinced about Young’s work ethic, then he should be given a longer rope,” said Vengsarkar.
But Lal didn’t sound optimistic about the current lot. “The guys have to be natural athletes which none of them are. The same players who misfield or drop catches remain in the side so there won’t be much change.”
(With inputs from Joe Williams)
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