On September 24, India beat Bangladesh b y 41 runs to reach the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final. While India have been outclassing opponents throughout the tournament, their catching has been worse amongst the eight teams. So far, India have dropped 12 catches including five against Bangladesh. In the post-match press conference, Varun Chakravarthy was asked about India's fielding woes.
“As they say, you can't give excuses at this level. As a team we definitely have to start catching all those because we look like we will be qualifying for the finals and we should be taking them,” the mystery spinner said in the post-match press conference.
However, Chakravarthy mentioned the ‘ring of fire’ in Dubai stadium which makes it tough for fielders to spot the ball.
“It comes in the eyesight sometimes and it’s a little bit of disturbance. We have to get acclimatised to it,” he said.
Dilip will ‘have a lot to say’
India's fielding coach T Dilip has held fielding drills, especially to counter the 'ring of fire' at Dubai Cricket Stadium. Chakravarthy said that Dilip did not say much after the four dropped catches against Pakistan but feels that it won't be the same this time.
“This team has been picked with a mission till the World Cup. We have to pick up our fielding obviously and definitely the fielding coach will have lots to say. Last match he didn’t say much, but this match I think he’ll have a lot to say,” he added.
Chakravarthy on bowling in powerplay and later
Defending a total of 168, Chakravarthy bowled four overs, conceded 29 runs and picked two wickets. He got the better of Saif Hassan twice in the 16th over but Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube dropped catches. He was expensive early on in the innings. He conceded three fours in the fifth over. The 34-year-old explained how bowling in the powerplay and middle overs is different.
“See if you ask me, I was just keeping it the same. It was just that initially the ball was skidding on more and as the ball started getting older, I started getting a little bit more purchase from the wicket. But other than that they definitely played me well in the powerplay,” said the spinner.
Before the T20 Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28, India will play their inconsequential Super Four stage game against Sri Lanka on September 26. It is yet to be seen whether India will make a few changes for the game.