CHENNAI: India have been a far superior side to England in the ongoing five-match Test series but an area where the home team should have done better was close in catching, feels fielding coach R Sridhar.
"I would agree that our catching, especially our close in the catching of pacers behind the stumps has not been up to scratch this series. We have set high standards in the last two years but this particular series, things haven't gone our way," said Sridhar after stumps on day one of the final Test.
With constant changes to the eleven due to injuries, the slip cordon too has seen some changes. Injured Ajinkya Rahane is not playing the fifth Test and standing at first slip for spinners is captain Virat Kohli, who also stands behind for pacers more often than not.
Sridhar attributed the inconsistency in catching to changes in the close cordon.
"It (catching) is a work in progress. There have been a few injuries to players in the series. We have changed personnel in the close cordon. It is not an excuse but we are working on it. We are trying to manage the workload, the injury part as far as fingers are concerned. We are sure to get better from here," he said.
India could have dismissed Moeen Ali right at the start of his innings but Lokesh Rahul mistimed his jump and could not get to the ball bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Ali went on to score an unbeaten 120.
"It burst through his fingers over the head. Maybe his timing of the jump could have been better. But these things happen in cricket. It was a tough situation for England at that time, getting Moeen out early could have helped us because the first hour there was little moisture on the wicket. Later the wicket eased out and became good to bat on as Moeen showed," felt Sridhar.
He also gave Ali and Joe Root (88) due credit for taking England to 284 for four at stumps.
Further elaborating on India's fielding, Sridhar said Kohli is doing a good job at slips in the absence Rahane. He also praised the commitment of Cheteshwar Pujara, who is not among the best fielders in the side.
"I think Kohli has been magnificent (in place of Rahane) but we would miss his energy in the outfield. He is a livewire when he is fielding short cover, short mid-wicket, where he stops a lot of singles and creates opportunities. But now with Kohli at slip, he has been as good as Ajinkya."
"Pujara is actually the one who pushes me for fielding."
Yes, he has got his limitations as an athlete, but one thing which you got to give it to him is his effort in practice sessions in fielding. He is the only guy probably who makes sure he fields," Sridhar said.
"In the outfield, close in and whatever positions, he does it religiously and meticulously in every single practice session. And if you see over the last 18-24 months, Pujara has definitely improved as a fielder. Today he saved three runs.
"Now with Karun and KL Rahul in the team, he is a bit relieved from the close in position. So he has been able to contribute in the outfield as well," he added.
Sridhar was asked to pick his preference for the slip cordon.
"If you look at this series: I would go with Murali Vijay first slip, Karun (Nair) at second, Kohli third and Ajinkya at gully and Ajinkya at slip for spinners," he said.
He added by saying the team is still learning how to make the best use of DRS.
"At the end of each Test, we do have a discussion. We look at all the decisions that were reviewed and sit with the bowlers, have a look at it. When the umpire gives not out, we look at what’s the umpires call and why it was turned down and what are the reasons we should take the DRS.
"That’s something which is an ongoing learning process. And bowler always feels he has got the batsman. So there is every right; there are people like Virat and Ajinkya now Parthiv or Wridhiman behind the stumps, who kind of give the correct judgement. It’s a team call. Kohli does take the call depending upon feed back given by the key members who are placed in the key position," he added.