Indian fielders dropped a few many catches in the first Test against Australia at Pune which resulted in a 333-run defeat. This was considered one of India’s worst defeats at home where they could only score a handful of runs. ‘Catching wins matches’ is a popular phrase used by cricket experts. Team India got the reality test in the first Test as dropped catches contributed to the humiliating defeat. That’s why skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane lay emphasis on their catching skills in the practice session.
It seemed like they are teaching other fielders that this is how you take catches at slips, both leg and first slip. One of the main reasons for the intensity of defeat was poor catching from Indian fielders at catching positions. As the ball spun square on Pune wicket, fielders in catching position needed to be agile in their approach and seize every opportunity to get a wicket.
‘You hit – I catch’ in beautiful slow-mo #TeamIndia #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CBHCaseq2V
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2017
But a series of dropped catches gave Australian skipper Steven Smith a chance to rebuild his innings. Smith converted his innings into a big one as he scored his 18th Test century on a wicket that turned out to be a nightmare for batsmen. On a wicket where the Test ended on the third day, Smith scored a century, thanks to catches dropped by substitute fielder Abhinav Mukund.
After a ‘poor’ pitch in Pune as declared by match referee Chris Broad, Bengaluru pitch for second Test is supposed to have batting conditions.
Rise and shine Bengaluru! #INDvAUS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/hTD7iqJgB2
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2017
In the pre-match conference Indian opener Murali Vijay too pressed on the importance of fielding, he believes that India would come back stronger in the second Test.
