Indian cricket team fielding coach T Dilip has revealed that there are three players who are really rising to the occasion and improving as great fielders, and they are young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, speedster Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul.
However, T Dilip admitted that Virat Kohli is a great fielder but at the moment, according to him, Rahul, Yashasvi and Siraj are winning his hearts with their splendid efforts on the field.
Well, fielding coach T Dilip was diplomatic when asked to pick the best catch and best fielder of the recent first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
T Dilip praises fielding efforts of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul in Chennai
It is noteworthy that Zakir Hasan (33) was caught brilliantly by Jaiswal at gully. Jasprit Bumrah played a full toss outside off which tempted Zakir to fire but he could not keep it down.
Jaiswal dived to his left and took a stunning one-handed catch despite poor visibility. The young Indian opener took his second catch off Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh.
Ashwin bowled a delivery at 87.6 kmph with minimal spin and Shakib Al Hasan’s (25) attempt to block resulted in an inside edge that strayed towards his pad. Jaiswal caught a low, accurate ball at short leg and the fielding coach was really impressed with the way the youngsters contributed to the team’s cause.
On the other hand, Rahul took a brilliant diving catch at midwicket to dismiss Mushfiqur Rahim for 13 off Ashwin’s delivery in Chennai. Mushfiqur came down the track to drive but could not keep the ball down and Rahul made no mistake with his fingers under the ball.
Later, Ashwin dismissed Taskin Ahmed for 5 runs, while Siraj took an easy catch at midwicket. After hitting a boundary, the Bangladesh player attempted a sharp shot but ended up with a front edge. These are the catches that Dilip is applauding after India won the Chennai Test by 280 runs against the Tigers.
These three gardeners are pushing hard: T Dilip
T Dilip said in a video posted by the BCCI on its website: “It’s difficult for me to mention it and say it openly but as of now, it’s very evident that Yashasvi, with that brilliant catch at gully and a beautiful catch at short leg, really forced himself to push those spots but the other thing that I really liked is KL’s catch not only at mid-on but he also showed great reflexes at mid-on.
These are the executions but when it comes to effort, especially in Chennai weather, he shows that attitude towards the team, taking those dives, putting in those efforts, wanting to take that catch even though it is not in that list of number of catches but people who have seen that game would really know how much effort Siraj has put in on the ground and a fast bowler to do that in Chennai conditions, real appreciation for him.
Right now, I think these three fielders are putting pressure on, and you definitely know Virat; you never know with those two catches; he is brilliant, but he keeps putting pressure on.”