India has lost close to 20 receptions in Australia in seven games in all three formats, plus other outfield fouls that have allowed runs through.
More importantly, many of the lost sacks have cost them games. India was unable to judge a catch of Steve Smith in the first ODI, when he was 38, and went on to score a 105 of 66 balls and brought them to a record total. In the first test they also fell Marnus Labuschagne several times before falling Tim paine with Australia seven down for 111 and still 133 runs behind India. The Australian skipper took them to 53 races out of India’s total of 244, from where they were able to fight and win.
“We see brilliant catches, but in general, if someone says that the fielding of the Indians is improving, I will avoid commenting because what I have seen in the last five or six months, the Indians have filmed very badly, they have to improve a lot,” he said Kaif. on the eve of the second round at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“Everything is the result of less training. Strictly speaking, a player should be selected in the XI only if he reaches a fielding level. Many sacks are being lost. Even virat Kohli is dropping catches. Everybody is falling, it’s happening since IPL. The players had gone straight from blocking to IPL – there was oxidation that I can understand as the field is directly related to fitness. The players were at home for four months, it’s not easy. But after three or four months, even in Australia it is happening. That is a matter of concern, “Kaif added.
The former player from India, who represented India in 125 one-day internationals and 13 test matches and was known for his exceptional performance in coverage, said that only hard work on the field would pay off.
“If you work hard on the field, the body goes into rhythm on its own and the eye is automatically fixed on the ball. Generally, what I’ve observed is that players spend less time playing the field. They spend a lot of time hitting and playing. bowling and in the gym, but not on the ground, where the actual fielding takes place. Sliding fielding, square-leg fielding, catching in cover – each different angle brings a different challenge. Each area brings a new challenge I feel like the players are practicing less on the field, “added Kaif.
He also said that to become a world-class fielder one needs to have a proper plan like hitting and bowling at the nets.
“When hitting and bowling, you follow a plan, like playing yorker for a period or shooting highs for a session. But on the field, I’ve seen people say, okay, let us do it for 15 to 20 minutes. It’s done. We’re talking about fitness, there is a difference between the gym and ground training, “he added.
“As a coach, I tell the kids that if they have to learn to field they will have to work on it for an hour, an hour and a half, even two and a half hours. Until you get tired, burn out, or your hands hurt after receiving receptions. Only then can he become a better fielder, “Kaif said.
He also disagreed with KL Rahul, who said, during the post-game conference after the second ODI, that playing in front of the crowd suddenly after playing in front of empty stadiums during the IPL may have caused misfires on the field.
“Sun, moon, cloudy weather, rain, fog; those who become good outfielders all outperform that. The field is an investment. You will benefit only if you work more on the ground like you do when hitting or bowling,” Kaif noted. .
.
