Suresh Raina impressed with current Indian team’s fielding
The Indian team is all set to take on West Indies in the fifth One Day International (ODI) at Jamaica, today, June 16, 2011. Team India is currently leading the series 3-1 and the stand-in skipper, Suresh Raina, has termed good fielding as the key to India’s
success so far on the Caribbean tour.
The Indian team has never been impressive in the fielding department over the years and the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, recently referred sloppy fielding as a huge cause for concern.
However, the cricket fans witnessed a positive change in the Indian fielding over the last few weeks.
Raina described that the current Indian team is the best fielding side he has ever seen in his cricket career. After winning the one-off Twenty20 International against the Windies on June 4, 2011, the skipper stated, 'This is the best fielding side we've
had in the last four to five years. Our new coach Duncan Fletcher and Trevor Penny, the fielding coach, have helped us a lot.”
The brilliant field work in the last four ODIs has once again pushed the skipper to admire his teammates for their fantastic commitment and energy in the field.
"In my view, it is the best Indian fielding side I have been part of in the last five years," Raina insisted on the eve of the 5th ODI.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently appointed former Sri Lankan assistant coach, Trevor Penney, as the new fielding coach of the Indian team. According to the reports, Penny was recommended by the head-coach, Duncan Fletcher, who has
worked with Penny, during his coaching stint with England.
Penney is also fascinated by the dedication of the Indians in the field and shared that there are a few quality fielders in the side who can do well for the county in the future.
"There are at least four or five boys in the team who are excellent," commented Penny.
While the team has been demonstrating excellent field-work in the last few weeks, the cricket pundits are considering the young legs in the side as the prime reason behind India’s improved fielding.