India vs Australia, 1st Test: Virat Kohli, who was tasked with the responsibility of fielding at first slip, dropped a catch to hand Steve Smth a reprieve when the former Australia captain was batting on 6 on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 18:27 IST
Virat Kohli dropped Steve Smith at 6 on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test (AFP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former Australia batter Mark Waugh did not mince words when he said Virat Kohli needs a few technical issues sorted to become a better fielder at the slip cordon after the former captain dropped Steve Smith on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. Waugh said Kohli needs to focus a bit more and think like a batter when at slips in Test matches.
Waugh’s comments came after Virat Kohli fluffed a chance, albeit not straightforward, in the 16th over bowled by Axar Patel. Kohli dropped Steve Smith’s catch, handing the former Australia captain a lifeline when he was just starting out his innings. Smith went for an expansive drive against Axar and got a thick outside edge, which flew quickly to the right of Kohlil, who was standing at the first slip. Kohli stretched his right hand but the ball did not stick.
IND v AUS, 1st Test Day 1: Highlights | Report
Fortunately for India, Smith added only 31 runs after he was dropped on 6. The leading Test batter was eventually dismissed by a Ravindra Jadejae delivery that went with the arm and knocked the stumps. Kohli’s drop catch did not allow India to put more pressure on Australia, who were reduced to 2 for 2 inside the 3rd over after visiting captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat in Nagpur. Smith and Marnus Labuschagne added an 82-run stand for the 3rd wicket to deny the Indian spinners a wicket in the morning session on Thursday.
However, Jadeja and Ashwin shared 8 wickets between them as Australia crumbled after Lunch to eventually get bowled out for 177 in 63.5 overs. Jadeja, on his return to Test cricket, picked up a 5-wicket haul.
“Fielding at slip off the spinners, you got to judge the depth you want to stand. I felt that the catch that Kohli put down, he was rushed into taking the catch. I think there are a few technical things that Kohli can work on. I think his feet are two wide apart. His weight is often is on the back of heels rather than on his feet. Sometimes, he looks like he is not expecting the ball. He has got to be expecting the ball every single delivery,” Mark Waught told Star Sports.
“You got to be focused and concentrating, which is not something I would every say Virat Kohli is not doing. He is a great technician with the bat, he concentrates on so hard. May be, sometimes he needs to keep expect the catches at the first slip. Just a few technical changes, he is a pretty good fielder but slip is a tough spot,” he added.
SECRET TO SLIP FIELDING SUCCESS
Kohli, who is one of the finest ground fielders, has not managed to find consistent success at the slip cordon. In the absence of former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who is a fine slip fielder, Kohli was manning the region on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test.
Kohli did take a slip catch when Pat Cummins edged one from R Ashwin straight into his hands.
Mark Waugh, who was one of the finest slip fielders in his era (181 catches in 128 Tests) shed light on what a slip fielder needs to succeed in the longest format of the game.
“You have got to read the play. You have got to pretend you are actually batting when you are fielding at first slip to the spinners. It’s something that doesn’t come naturally for some days.
“He (Kohli) needs to focus a bit more, maybe change a couple of things with his stance and all that and then he won’t drop any more catches,” Waugh added.
India reached 77 for 1 at Stumps after Rohit Sharma led the hosts’ reply with a brisk 56 not out.
