Last Update: March 16, 2023, 08:20 AM IST
India will take on Australia in the first ODI on Friday. (AFP photo)
Fielding coach T Dileep believes Indian cricket team’s direct-hit conversion ratio has improved
Fielding coach T Dileep said Indian fielders have improved by leaps and bounds in terms of success ratio of direct hits, though some of them did not convert into run-outs.
Citing KL Rahul’s direct hit to dismiss Liton Das on song during the T20 World Cup in Australia that helped India stave off Bangladesh’s charge and secure a narrow victory, Dileep said the team have improved in that area.
“There are certain areas where we have definitely improved over time. If you look at the number of direct hit percentages in the World Cup and one direct hit from KL Rahul changed the course of the match,” Dileep said at the Wankhede in Mumbai. told the media after India’s optional training session at the stadium.
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“It is something we are looking at as a group and if you look at the overall ratio of it, even if there is no run out, there has been a slight improvement in the number of times we have hit the stumps. This is an area in which we will continue to improve.”
Dileep backed Rahul, who did not attend the optional training sessions, to continue to perform well at No.5 as the wicketkeeper-batsman.
“We all know that KL Rahul is an amazing player. He has a proven record. Even in ODIs, in the middle order, he has proved a lot as a batsman. As a wicket-keeper, he provides a lot of balance in the team as he gives advantage.
“Since he is not someone who has put on the gloves now, he has been doing this from a young age, he adds a lot of things. It is not that difficult to work on his wicket-keeping apart from fine-tuning a few aspects, Dileep said.
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Dileep said the team is looking into specific fielding drills and training for specific players so that they are best prepared to field at certain positions.
Hardik Pandya will be India’s stand-in captain in the first ODI in Mumbai on Friday and Dileep has backed the all-rounder’s good performance.
“He is officially the captain now. But he has been in our leadership group for all these matches and he has proved in T20s what he can bring as a captain. Even though Rohit is the captain, he is our leadership Part of the group, he adds immense value to the team, not only you, we are all looking forward to him. He is well equipped to do it,” Dileep said.
The fielding coach said that senior players like Virat Kohli And Ravindra Jadeja exhorted the youngsters to work on their fielding.
He said, “He has proved over time what he can contribute in the field, he has been a role model in this matter. The players look at him. What I look for in particular is intensity when they come in for practice. Even after proving himself, he has that spirit which impresses the youth.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
