India focuses on fielding drills ahead of Auckland ODI series
Players practiced running in straight lines to adapt to the unfamiliar dimensions and conditions at Eden Park.
The Indian cricket team conducted fielding drills at Eden Park ahead of the first ODI of a five-match series against New Zealand. According to The Times of India, players participated in exercises involving running between cones and intercepting deliveries from fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh and support staff.
The drills focused on running in straight lines and communicating clearly while approaching the ball. This training aimed to help players familiarise themselves with the dimensions of the Auckland ground, which differ from those they usually play on.
Former India fielding coach R Sridhar told TOI that the dimensions in Auckland are challenging and make 'cutting the angles' important. He said cutting the angle means running in straight lines after assessing the speed of the ball and the dimensions.
Sridhar noted that other factors like wind, cold conditions, and match start times will also be variables. He added that while Wellington has wind and Auckland has different dimensions, conditions at Bay Oval should be fine for adjustment.
India's catching efficiency has been a concern, with the team dropping 27 catches in 18 ODIs since the change of captaincy last year. This resulted in a 77.5 per cent catching efficiency rate.
In those 18 matches, Kuldeep Yadav dropped five catches in 11 games, while KL Rahul dropped four in 16 games. Rohit Sharma has taken the most catches among Indian players with 15 catches and two drops.