Cricket: Harsha Bhogle on the poor fielding abilities of young Indian cricketers
Fielding is an essential part of any cricketing format - whether it is a test match or an ODI or a T20. In the shorter versions of the game, fielding becomes even more significant. Many countries who are poor at fielding find themselves
losing matches and whole series’ based on their fielding. The Pakistani cricket team is a pertinent example. Indian commentator, writer and journalist Harsha Bhogle has stated his concerns about Indian fielding department as the 2011 ODI World Cup slides closer
and closer.
Many argue that batting and fielding are the two most important departments of the sport. However the best cricketing nations, such as the Australians, are excellent in all three departments. Poor fielding can change a whole game,
while good fielding can increase pressure on the batsmen and render more wickets for bowlers.
A good fielder requires good concentration and awareness skills. Good reflexes are equally significant. A good fielder often has a keen eye and possesses the ability to keep that eye on the ball at all times. This can lead to some
spectacular catches being taken, which is why most good fielders are often placed in the slips positions.
Close fielding positions can also put one batsman under immense pressure as they can stop or slow down the run rate. These fielding positions can be at deep long on, and short/silly point which are closest to the batsmen.
A perfect example of good fielding was seen in the on going Champions League (CLT20) in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Victoria-c859, which saved the game for the Warriors.
India’s new cricketing generation needs to brush up their fielding and pull their socks up, according to Bhogle. Good fielding requires athleticism on the field and good physical shape and fitness, as well as technical ability
and lots of practice. Though there’s no doubt the Indians dominate test cricket (they are the best test team at the moment), they still need to work on their fielding if they are to perpetuate the legacy left to them by senior Indian players.
But the younger players need to still work considerably to improve their fielding, and until they do so, Bhogle considers them unfit to take on the mantle of being Indian national team players.
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