Cricket Update: Indians must harness their fielding
The importance of fielding in cricket can never be over emphasized. While the leading players possess compatible batting and bowling strengths, it is the fielding that creates a difference. Although, the Indian cricket team has tremendous
potential in terms of both batting and bowling, still their fielding sector remains largely neglected.
It is incumbent upon the Indian team to work for improvement in their fielding if their dreams for the Cricket World Cup title are to be fulfilled. Having said that, it’s a fact that fielding is not an easy task to improve; in reality,
it is an art and skill while any skill needs extensive practice to refine and ultimately attain perfection.
With the 2011 Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in India, the Indian team has got all the potential to become World Champions. The only hurdle seems to be their weak fielding. At present, the situation is such that fielding is
usually taken as a warm up exercise or cool down activity by the Indian players. Any prominent cricketer known by his fielding is difficult to find in the Indian team.
With each team going for the win, every segment of the game attains its own importance. A crucial catch at any critical juncture might turn the situation in the favor of fielding side. Similarly, an effort to save a single run with
a desperate dive may also prove to be of immense value. Hence, fielding roles often establish the final decision at critical times. The Indian players must prepare themselves to gain the edge by practicing flawless fielding. The recent match between Mumbai
Indians and Highyeld Lions was a clear proof of this.
Also, When Davey Jacobs and the warriors of Port Elizabeth fielded like every ball being the last ball, the results were evident. Jacobs clinched two crucial wickets with his stunning fielding performances that finally turned the game
in their favor. Fielding has specially gained more importance in the smaller version of game as in a twenty overs match, every single run saved counts. It won’t be wrong to say that the fielder saving 15 runs is much better than the batsman who scores 40 while
giving away 10 runs during his fielding.
Now, the question arises that what is the problem with the Indian players that deprives them of attaining diving skills? Is it their genes or the hard outfields that create a sense of danger in them. The importance of diving in field
requires no further elaboration. The main issue is to save the run or to catch in order to clinch an important wicket. Catches and athletic dives permeate energy, vigor and a winning body language as well.
Meanwhile, fielding encompasses much more than mere diving. An accurate and precise throw may generate immense pressure on the batting side but throwing accurately and precisely also requires continuous practice. It’s an art in itself
and has to be harnessed through training.
India’s ambitions to win the 2011 world title with their advantage of home ground as well as home crowd need special focus on fielding improvement. The same applies even more rigidly for the T20 version. Being a leading cricketing
nation requires the Indian team to be perfect in all versions of the game and also an immaculate degree of proficiency in all three segments of batting, bowling and fielding.