NEW DELHI: India have been doing all that they can by using this series against Sri Lanka as a preparation for South Africa.They have rotated three openers to find out the ideal pair for the biggest challenge they will encounter in nearly two years. Pacers have been rested keeping in mind the workload they have to manage when they play three Tests in 28 days. In all, the signs have been encouraging.
Except for Ajinkya Rahane, there are no form-related worries, other than a headache they might have in South Africa — slip-catching. While Rahane has been the most reliable man when spinners are in operation, the pacers haven’t found a slip catcher who can pluck everything that comes his way.
This seems to be a never-ending problem, with the cordon of Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma putting down sitters during Sri Lanka’s innings which helped Angelo Mathews to a much-needed century.
On Day 2, Dilruwan Perera saw an edge flying towards Pujara at first slip intercepted by Dhawan, who subsequently dropped it.
A couple of overs later, Kohli, who had replaced Dhawan at second slip, dropped Mathews when he had made only six. Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami didn’t even grimace. They quietly went back, may be murmuring a word or two.On Monday morning, fielding coach R Sridhar lined up the slip cordon before play began and was seen giving ample attention to them.
Apart from half-chances that they didn’t go for, regulation catches were pouched safely. Watching this, Ishant and Shami must have felt better.
But when play began, it was the turn of Rohit at second slip to let another Mathews edge slip through his fingers when the batsman was on 98.
Pujara was the closest to the action, watching each miss from first slip. Rahane, India’s best slip catcher, sighed from gully.
India have somehow not thought about having Rahane in the slips to pacers, as they believe the Mumbaikar is better suited at gully, which is a more difficult position. So the merry-go-around in slips continues.
This series it was the turn of Pujara, who is normally used as a close-in fielder for spinners, to be deputed at first slip, where Dhawan or Rahul used to stand.Dhawan was also tried at short-leg when Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja operated. Murali Vijay has been tried in the slips, but despite being a safe catcher, he mostly mans the boundaries if not at mid-off.
On Day 3 alone, apart from Pujara at first slip India had three players — Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli — at second slip. While the captain is one of the fittest players in the side and his reflexes are rated the best, his reputation as a slip catcher doesn’t induce confidence.
Fielders in these positions need high concentration levels, which a captain can find difficult to maintain since he has other things to worry about. So slip may not be the best place for Kohli.
The thought behind moving Pujara, who always fields at first slip for Saurashtra, stems from the fact that he is one of the players who can concentrate for long periods. Vijay is no different from Pujara either.
Dhawan at times goes with hard hands. Rohit is reliable too, but with his place in the XI isn’t guaranteed, the rotation goes on.
Against Sri Lanka, and with kind of attack India possess, they knew another chance won’t be far away. But South Africa will be a different story. Dropping Amla or De Villiers or Du Plessis would end up proving costly and this team has experienced that on previous tours.
Catch me not!
A look at catches dropped by Indian fielders during the third and final Test...
6.6 overs
Mohammed Shami’s fourth over. Pitched up outside off, ball travels off Dilruwan Perera’s bat. It was going to Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip. But Shikhar Dhawan from second slip interrupts and ends up fluffing it.
9.3 overs
After Dhawan misses the one at second slip, Virat Kohli replaces him. Ishant Sharma bowls a length ball outside off to Angelo Mathews. The batsman tries to drive and the edge flies at a comfortable height to the left of Kohli, who drops a sitter. A costly miss it turns out to be.
81.1 overs
Second slip has been a problem area for India in this Test. Just after the second new ball is taken, Ishant bowls one back of a length and outside off to Mathews. The batsman hits away from body. The edge flies to second slip Rohit Sharma and he drops it. The batsman was on 98.
88.5 overs
Ravindra Jadeja bowls to Mathews. As the batsman tries to hit over mid-off, Vijay Shankar jumps to catch the ball, but can’t pull it off. The ball travels to the boundary. Maybe additional effort could have made a difference.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com