In the 23rd match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, SRH won a close thriller by two runs. In this match, about seven catches were dropped. Players from both teams displayed subpar fielding. Shashank Singh, who remained unbeaten at 46 for PBKS, also failed to catch a ball, resulting in a boundary.
Former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Navjot Singh pointed out that Shashank’s dropped catch contributed to PBKS’s narrow two-run loss.
Sidhu mentioned that approximately 66-67 catches have been missed in IPL 2024.
Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “Catches win matches, but the players are not enjoying the fielding. Either their hands are oiled, or they are allergic to the leather. If you don’t enjoy fielding, you can’t take catches.”
Mohammad Kaif who used to be one of the best fielders of his generation made a shocking statement regarding the fielders. He asserted that IPL players have dropped around 600-700 catches in the last five to six years of IPL.
“The players don’t want to spend time on fielding in the IPL. They have excuses and are ready to stay away from fielding sessions. Around 600-700 catches have been dropped in the league in the last five years. The players are not interested in catching and fielding drills. They spend hours batting and bowling but have excuses ready when they are called up or fielding.”
“It is up to the coaches to make fielding enjoyable. When we see them spending hours on batting and bowling, we generally give them the option of returning to the room to rest. They happily agree to avoid fielding,” Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports.
