The Indian crew has been struggling within the fielding division, notably in catching, which is clearly an space of concern for the No. 1 ranked T20I facet. Even throughout the current Asia Cup, a match they received with out shedding a single recreation, their fielding appeared beneath par.
Because the begin of 2025, India’s catching effectivity of 82.7% ranks solely fifth amongst Full Member nations, a statistic that captain Suryakumar Yadav is decided to enhance as his crew prepares to defend its T20 World Cup crown subsequent 12 months.
“In keeping with me, the catches will get dropped. If you’re a fielder, you’ll go for the catch, you may drop. Identical to how, if you’re a batter, you’re going to get out. Or if you’re a bowler, you’ll attempt to land it proper, however you will not get the wicket. These are all a part of the sport,” Suryakumar stated within the pre-match press convention.
“However based on me, what you do after that’s extra vital. As we speak was an non-compulsory session. However in the present day everybody got here to the sphere. So which means the crew is working in the direction of one thing actually particular. And it is a division that I’ve stated that we should work laborious if we need to be the perfect fielding unit on the earth. You see what number of groups catch good catches, do good fielding, win matches on fielding. So if the batting is gentle or the bowling is right here and there, however with fielding, in case you do one factor proper, you may win a match. So we’re working laborious,” he added.
The concept is to construct an vitality so infectious that it could raise the crew even by means of its dullest passages of play. For Suryakumar, fielding is as a lot about temper as it’s about methodology. It’s about creating pleasure and connection in a recreation that so usually separates gamers by their roles.
“We’re working laborious on it. However there isn’t a assure that in case you catch 25 catches in the present day [in training], you will not miss it once more tomorrow. It may be missed. It is a part of the sport. However how a lot you need the ball to come back to you, the way you attempt to create that intent and alternative, that’s vital for me. If the catch is missed, there isn’t a downside. Clearly, there may be disappointment. However on the similar time, if you’re placing within the effort, then there isn’t a downside,” stated Suryakumar.
“In keeping with me, there is just one division – fielding – the place everybody comes collectively. In any other case, everybody’s batting talent is particular person. Bowling talent is particular person. However there may be solely fielding the place 11 individuals stay collectively on the bottom. So it is very important create an environment there, no matter what’s going on within the match. If the opposite crew is on the high, in case you discipline properly, you may win the sport. So what I say is that once you stay on the bottom, create an environment collectively,” he added.
Suryakumar emphasised the significance of getting enjoyable on the sphere, particularly when the stress builds, and of making an environment the place gamers can benefit from the recreation. He additionally mirrored on his private kind, having scored 100 runs in 11 innings in 2025 at a strike fee of 105.26. But his phrases, very like his physique language, convey a way of calm reasonably than concern.
“We met the T20 crew for under two days for the crew session. Earlier than that, some guys had been enjoying in the future. So it is vitally vital to have some enjoyable on the bottom. As a result of all these items replicate on the bottom when you’re in a stress scenario. Or when that the sport goes a bit of tight. And the right way to create an environment at the moment and luxuriate in it. So all these little issues come to thoughts then,” stated Suryakumar.
“I really feel I’ve been working actually laborious. Even earlier than, I used to be doing it. It isn’t that I wasn’t working laborious earlier than, I’m nonetheless working laborious. I’ve had a superb few periods again house, good 2-3 periods right here. So I’m in a superb area. I believe that’s actually vital. Runs will come ultimately however I believe working laborious in the direction of the crew purpose… it is extra vital what the crew desires from you in numerous conditions and I take one recreation at a time and if it begins then I believe it will likely be a superb factor,” he added.
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