Opinion India’s slipping standards

Everything from Virender Sehwag’s attitude to the sharpness of his reflexes were questioned in the wake of his dropping David Warner at first slip on the opening day of the Chennai Test. The next to take up slip fielding duties was somebody from the younger generation,but the results were no better. Virat Kohli dropped as many as four catches in Mohali. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara,Murali Vijay and Ravichandran Ashwin were tried in that position but no one could inspire much confidence.

The departure of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman has not only left a huge void in the middle-order,but has also left it short in the slip cordon. Experts have spoken at length about the faulty technique which is leading to dropped chances. But as W V Raman pointed out,slip fielding is more about habit. While the technique can be picked up in a matter of minutes,a good slip fielder needs to show the temperament to stay keen and alert through the course of a day’s play. The demands it places on physical and mental fitness,and concentration levels are acquired through habit.

Advertisement

In the previous era,where India could boast of a competent slip cordon which featured the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin,Dravid,Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar (till finger injuries ruled him out),fielding drills consisted mostly of slip catching practice. Slip catching was an integral part of their cricketing curriculum. For the current generation though,the focus has been on being good all-round fielders. So while the likes of Kohli,Vijay and Ravindra Jadeja may be agile out-fielders who can sprint,dive and slide,they have perhaps not spent as much time as a Dravid or a Laxman did getting themselves used to the specialist fielding position behind the wicket.

Also,consulting with specialist slip fielders,about how they approached their task,might help. After the end of the first day of the third Test,Kohli sought out Matthew Hayden and discussed the finer points of slip fielding. That was a baby step,but one in the right direction.

(Shamik is a senior staff writer based in Kolkata.)

shamik.chakrabarty@expressindia.com