What gives Kohli and Rohit an edge in New Zealand’s fielding challenge? India coach explains
New Delhi: Rohit Sharma and experience is proving crucial as the Indian fielders are trying to adapt to short-boundary challenge on the ongoing tour. Fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh believes that their years of experience in familiar fielding positions have sharpened their ability to read the ball early, giving them an edge when reaction time is limited.
The Men in Blue looked sharp in the field during the first ODI of the five-match series in Auckland, with Kohli taking a sensational catch at slips and Rohit producing a quick throw to run out Daryl Mitchell. India won the match by five wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Speaking ahead of the second match, the Indian fielding coach highlighted how experience and anticipation have helped the two veterans to excel in the field. He also spoke about India’s preparations to prepare for the specific demands of fielding on New Zealand grounds.
“In fielding, one thing that is important is anticipation. Virat has fielded in covers, and point for lakhs of time. He knows the trajectory of the ball, the path of the ball, impact of the ball. He reads the situation earlier than other guys,” Ghosh said.
“Same for the Rohit run out, he was anticipating the ball. Experience as well as natural talent (goes into making a great fielder) and doing the same thing again and again,” he added.
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‘Adapting to new conditions is always a challenge’
Ghosh further added that when the team travels to different countries, adapting to new conditions is always a challenge for the Indian players. He also said that they have discussed ground dimensions and weather conditions in the dressing room, with particular focus on positioning and first movement towards the ball.
“When you travel to different countries, adapting to new conditions is always a challenge. Your first step is crucial because it allows you to cut down the angles and cover the ground more effectively. We constantly work on that initial movement,” he said.
The Indian management have also been using lighter balls in training to prepare for the conditions in New Zealand, where smaller grounds leave fielders with less time to react. .
“The lighter ball moves away from you and requires stability. These aspects we always talk about in the dressing room. If you play in (grounds with) small boundaries, there is no outfielder; everyone is infielder. The reaction time is less; the boundary is so close,” Ghosh added.
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, November 7.