India made a shameful world record, Bangladesh looted the party
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India women make embarrassing fielding record: In the match against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, the Indian women’s cricket team made an embarrassing record by displaying very poor fielding. In the first 5 overs of the match, Indian fielders dropped 4 catches in just 17 balls. This is the worst fielding spell of any team during the powerplay in the history of women’s T20 International cricket. Taking advantage of the continuous life chances, Bangladeshi batsmen scored 40 runs in the powerplay, which again exposed the old weakness of the Indian team.
Indian women’s cricket team’s poor fielding exposed.
New Delhi. The Indian women’s cricket team created such an unwanted history at the Old Trafford ground, which no team would ever want to remember. In the match against Bangladesh, it was as if the Indian fielders committed a ‘crime’ on the field. Poor fielding and a scary string of dropped catches made India the first team in the history of Women’s T20 International cricket to drop 4 catches within the first 5 overs of the match. This was only the second time in the history of Women’s T20 International that a team has dropped 4 catches in the powerplay, but India surprised everyone by achieving this ‘forgettable record’ in just 17 balls.
This scary sequence for the Indian team started on the fifth ball of the third over. Bangladesh’s opening batsman Zuairia Firdous played a poor sweep shot off the bowling of bowler Shri Charani. The ball floated in the air and went towards short fine leg. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia, sensing the ball, ran quickly and made a brilliant full-length dive. Yastika’s fingers reached the ball, but she failed to get it in her gloves. This was the first lease of life of the match.
Indian women’s cricket team’s poor fielding exposed.
The Indian team had not even recovered from this shock when Juaria got a second lease of life on the last ball of the fourth over. This time the bowler was Renuka Singh. Gambhir tried to pull on a short delivery from Renuka. The ball went straight into the hands of Radha Yadav standing at deep midwicket. It was a very simple and straightforward catch, but everyone present on the field was stunned when the ball slipped out of Radha’s hands and crossed the boundary for four runs.
Old pain becomes fresh for Radha Yadav
This drop catch was especially disturbing for Radha. She had also dropped two very important catches against South Africa in the last match, which included the catch of Marizanne Kapp, who played the match-winning innings. In this match too, his mistake cost the team dearly.
Two consecutive blows in Nandini Sharma’s over.
The series of mistakes on the field did not stop here. The story became more painful in the fifth over. On the second ball of the over, Shobhana Mosteri hit a powerful drive on the ball of Shri Charani. The ball took the outer edge of the bat and went towards the covers, where fielder Nandini Sharma was stationed. Nandini did a low-dive to her left, placing both hands on the ball, but ultimately the ball slipped from her grip.
Just one ball later, i.e. on the fourth ball of the fifth over, Juairiya Firdous once again tested the Indian fielders. Zuiara’s top-edge slog sweep lifted the ball into the air towards short third. Nandini Sharma, with the intention of correcting her previous mistake, ran fast and threw herself in the air towards the ball. She also managed to reach the ball, but both luck and grip did not favor her. This was India’s fourth drop catch within 17 balls.
Bangladesh took full advantage, India’s old weakness exposed
Bangladeshi batsmen took full advantage of this ‘fielding kindness’ of the Indian team. Thanks to the donations, Bangladesh scored 40 runs by losing only 1 wicket in the powerplay (first 6 overs), which changed the course of the match. The shameful thing is that this was not the first flop show of Indian team’s fielding in this tournament. This was the second time in the ongoing competition that a team has dropped 3 or more catches in the first 6 overs and unfortunately, both times this shameful record was in the name of India. Earlier, in the match against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Indian fielders had dropped three catches.
The Indian team made two major changes in the playing eleven against Bangladesh.
What is the way forward?
It is often said in cricket that ‘catches win matches’ (catch catches, win matches). But the Indian women’s team blew this proverb to pieces on the Old Trafford ground. If Team India wants to become champion in big tournaments, then along with bowling and batting, the level of its fielding will also have to be made world class. Due to repeated life throws, the morale of the bowlers also breaks and the opposing team gets a chance to dominate the match. Now it remains to be seen how the Indian team recovers from this ‘nightmare spell’ and corrects the shortcomings of its fielding.
About the Author
Kamlesh Rai is currently working as Chief Sub-Editor in News18 India. In his long journalistic journey of more than 17 years, he has created a unique identity with his deep understanding of the nuances of digital media and news.read more
