India vs South Africa, 4th Test: In the slips, Ajinkya Rahane does not let it slip

In August, Ajinkya Rahane had created a world record as he became the first non-keeper to take eight catches in a Test match.

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At a time when South Africa’s captain Hashim Amla had dropped three catches at slips during India’s first innings, Ajinkya Rahane’s anticipation and poise in this position is indeed refreshing.

As Faf du Plessis plays an innocuous paddle-scoop down the leg side off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja, an alert Ajinkya Rahane, stationed at slip, runs towards the vacant leg slip area to complete a terrific catch.

At a time when South Africa’s captain Hashim Amla had dropped three catches at slips during India’s first innings, Rahane’s anticipation and poise in this position is indeed refreshing.

In August, Rahane had created a world record as he became the first non-keeper to take eight catches in a Test match.

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Slip fielding is an art, and Rahane seems to have mastered it well. He says that positivity, coupled by hard work and long hours at the nets under the watchful eyes of fielding coach R. Sridhar, are some of the factors that has provided him the desired results.

“From the start, wherever the captain has told me to field, whether it is silly point, forward short-leg , slip or gully, I have always given him a positive response. My mindset is to obey the captain. In Sri Lanka, Virat told me that I will field in the slips, I gave him a positive response. Then I told Sridhar (fielding coach) that I want 50-100 catches in a day as I can fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by my team management.

“I took a lot of catches, prepared well, showed that the captain can show confidence in me,” he says.

Mental adjustment, according to Rahane is the key to fielding in slips.

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“Slip fielding preparation very important. Mental adjustment, switching on (at the right moment) – you can’t concentrate for six hours. When to concentrate is also important,” he adds.

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