Sourav Ganguly urges India to get their fielding right

The Indian team was in a position of strength by the end of the first day’s play in the 3rd Test at Mohali against England but their fielding was once again sloppy as the fielders dropped as many as four catches.

Having won the toss and batting first, England ended Day 1 on 268/8, riding on Jonny Bairstow’s superb 89. Bairstow was trapped leg before by Jayant Yadav during the fag end of the day to give away the honours of the 1st day to the hosts.

India’s fielding has been an area of concern of late as they had missed as many as seven catches in the 1st Test at Rajkot, including three in the first 6 overs of the game. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly wasn’t pleased with India’s fielding performance, especially in the slip cordons.

“India’s fielding needs to be looked after, especially the slip cordon. There have been too many changes in the slip cordon. Ravindra Jadeja was standing at third slip. I don’t think he’s a consistent fielder at the third slip. So, India has to get their slip cordon right. They have to stick to them. Even if they drop a few, they’ll have to make sure that these are my guys for slip cordon,” Ganguly told India Today.

“I think Ashwin dropped a sitter and I think Ashwin was an accident and he would not drop nine out of 10 of those. I don’t think he expected it. You normally don’t get those chances early on in Test matches at square leg in the first session. So I don’t think he was expecting it. I think he’ll catch most of them. He’s a safe catcher,” he added.

Speaking on the toss factor, the southpaw said, “Tosses don’t win cricket matches but in sub-continent pitches like Vizag, if you win the toss and have big first innings total, you put enormous pressure on team batting second. Look at England’s win in 2012, they won the toss in Mumbai and won the game. India won the toss and won the game. It doesn’t guarantee you Test match wins but it does put a lot of pressure on team batting fourth.”

He further added that 300 wasn’t a bad score on the first day of a Test match and the Indians have to bat well to put the visitors under pressure.

“300 is still a good total on the first day of a Test match rather in first innings of a Test match. If England get to 320-330 and then keep India within 400 with a lead of 40-50, India still have to get 400 on this pitch. With a lead of 40-50, this game could go interesting ways in innings three and four. Still not over yet but I think India have done a remarkable job on Day 1 after losing the toss.”

Speaking on the England team, the “Prince of Calcutta” concluded by saying, “I think England missed the opportunity today. It was a great toss to win because this pitch has looked very, very dry. We should have expected them to be in a better position. 270/8 (268/8) on this pitch, I think they would be disappointed. Toss was crucial and they called it rightly to win it. From that point of view, I think they will be disappointed.”