Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has identified fielding as India’s major concern despite a comprehensive 3-0 win against Zimbabwe. India registered a 35-run win against the hosts at the Harare Sports Club, Harare on Sunday.
However, India was sloppy in the field, dropping easy catches. Mayank Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi all dropped catches on Sunday.
Overall, India dropped 10 catches in the three-match series and caught 18. Thus, the visitors had a catching efficiency of 64.2%.
Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel, “You know, the fielding was a bit disappointing. We dropped quite a few catches and gave away some very easy chances. That’s one area where the team needs to improve. We saw the same thing during the England series as well, where we missed several opportunities and dropped catches. Those mistakes proved costly there. Here, obviously, they didn’t hurt India as much, but against stronger teams, these are the things that make the difference. So I think fielding is one department where the Indian team needs to tighten up.”
On the other hand, Jaffer reckons the biggest challenge for Mayank Yadav is his fitness. Yadav had an impressive series against Zimbabwe, taking five wickets in three games but the Delhi pacer has been troubled by injury woes in the past.
“I mean, the biggest challenge for him (Mayank Yadav) isn’t really his skill or his bowling. None of us have too many question marks over that. The main concern has always been his fitness, how fit he can stay, how often he’s available, and whether he can play consistently. So far, we haven’t seen that. But I hope that from here on, whenever India plays the T20I series, he’s available.
“Whether he gets selected or not is a different matter, but he himself should make sure that he stays fit and remains available. We’ve already seen what he can do with the ball. Whenever he’s been fit and has bowled at his pace, he’s looked very impressive. He has a really good action and genuine speed. But the real challenge for him is his fitness,” he added.
India will next take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.
