Mohammad Azharuddin advises Indian team to focus on slip catching

A speaker at the Karnataka Premier League in Bengaluru on Thursday, Mohammad Azharuddin advised the Indian squad, playing in England, to improve on slip catching. India dropped as many as four catches in the first innings of the ongoing Test in Edgbaston. Azhar mentioned that the players should be identified to be ideal for slip catching and they should concentrate on perfecting their posture for this skill.

“Slip is a specialised position. You have to identify the players and they should practice slip catching. Especially the ones playing the longer format should take at least 50-60 catches in the position during practice. We have to identify them because they need to be proactive and willing to do it. Sometimes, players don't want to. You need to stand in the right position, concentrate for long periods of time. It's a difficult task,” said Azharuddin, reported TOI.

“Fielders at slip positions need to adjust. Sometimes you stand too high then the ball falls near your feet you can't get down. You need to stand a bit crouched so that you can go down and if the ball is high you can jump as well. Reactions and reflexes have to be good especially when you are fielding against spin."

The main culprits of the game were Ajinkya Rahane, who is usually a very reliable slip fielder, and Shikhar Dhawan. While Rahane handed a new lease of life to Keaton Jennings thanks to a fourth slip gaffe, while Dinesh Karthik dropped Sam Curran, though the shot was aimed towards Dhawan at the first slip.

Azharuddin also mentioned that players should be able to adapt and adjust in different conditions and formats while supporting Kohli on his decision of including KL Rahul in the first Test squad ahead of Cheteshwar Pujara.

“Most of these teams these days struggle when the ball is moving, because we're used to playing in good batting wickets in the shorter formats. England also struggled on Wednesday. When the ball moves, we struggle because we don't play on those wickets consistently. We need to play there and only then will improve. When you play at a professional level, you have to adapt. You are expected to do that,” Azharuddin said.