Asia Cup 2025: “What is the fielding coach doing? Gautam Gambhir needs to focus on fielding” – Former India spinner issues warning ahead of final

India. (Photo source: BCCI)

Former leg-spinner Amit Mishra didn’t mince his words while criticising the Indian team for its lacklustre fielding display during the ongoing Asia Cup. Suryakumar Yadav and Co. have been very consistent with the bat and ball during the eight-team tournament. However, the same cannot be said about their fielding, especially their high-catching.

In the Super Four games against Pakistan and Bangladesh, India dropped four and five catches, respectively. Varun Chakaravarthy revealed that they have not been able to pick the balls as well as they would have liked from the “Ring of Fire” at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

While India caught better in the final Super Four clash against Sri Lanka, the ground fielding was abysmal. Axar Patel fumbled the final delivery, allowing Janith Liyanage to come back for the second run and take the game into the Super Over.

Mishra questioned the role of the fielding coach after the repeated shortcomings. He urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to focus more on the team’s fielding.

“You should practice. What is the fielding coach doing? He should make them practice taking catches under the light. You are professional cricketers. You have to work hard and adjust to it. I agree that one or two dropped catches can happen in a match. But it has been happening consistently. I think Gautam Gambhir needs to focus on fielding,” Mishra was quoted as saying by India Today.

There should be no margin of error in the final against Pakistan: Mishra

Mishra said that dropping even one catch can be detrimental for the team, and India have been letting go of multiple catching opportunities. He mentioned that India should sort things out before the final against Pakistan on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“In T20Is, dropping one catch can prove costly, and the Indian team is dropping three to four catches. They need to focus on fielding. There should be no margin of error in the final against Pakistan. Even if there is a problem, you should find a solution to it,” he added.

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