Former Cricketer Lalchand Rajput has urged Team India to improve fielding ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 knockout stages.
He feels that there is not one but several areas of improvement, especially ‘fielding.’ As a manager, Rajput led India to become the first-ever World T20 champions in 2007, and he feels the players have to work harder on their catching.
Indian fielders were dropped by Indian fielders during the Champions Trophy opener match against Bangladesh which helped the Tigers to get back into the competition.
Rohit Sharma dropped the catch at a stage when Bangladesh’s situation was desperately bad. They lost five wickets for 35 but Jaker Ali went on to make life miserable for India by scoring 50 runs.
In the following over, Towhid Hridoy’s catch was dropped by Hardik Pandya and he went on to score a cetury and help his team finish 228 all-out.
India also droppted a few catches in their match against Pakistan, but those mistakes did not cost them dearly in that match.
“Fielding, yes, we can always improve. Dropping catches in vital junctures would take away matches from us. Fielding could always be better,” said Lalchand Rajput.
India fielding the same playing 11 in their both matches of the group stages and is to face New Zealand on their next match.
He also said unless there is a fitness issue or a player who feels resting, Rajput thinks ther should be no tinkering with the winning combination.
“I don’t think they will try it (new) as this one because when the team is doing good, you would want the same momentum.”
“Unless there is some injury, or somebody wants to be rested, I don’t think there will be a change. It’s up to the management because there are a few days in between. But I would always say that you continue with a winning team,” said Lalchand Rajput.
India’s next and final group stage match will be played against New Zealand on February 26 at Dubai International Stadium.
