Working on our fielding: R Sridhar

Chennai: Indian fielding coach R. Sridhar addressed the media after the conclusion of the first day’s play against England here on Friday.

Excerpts:

On catching errors: I would agree that our catching, especially our close in catching for pacers behind the stumps has not been up to scratch this series. We have set right standards for the last two years and in this particular series things haven’t gone our way.

On K.L. Rahul dropping Moeen Ali on zero: 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 in the first hour there was a little moisture on the wicket. Later the wicket eased out and became good to bat on as Moeen showed.

On the fielding standards: It is a work in progress. There have been a few injuries to players. We have changed personnel in the close cordon. It is not an excuse but we are working on it. We are sure to get better from here.

On Root and Ali’s batting: We have to give credit to Root who was fabulous. He came out with the intent to attack the spinners. Once the wicket eased out, his sweep shots came out of the cover, he stepped out, he used his feet to milk the spinners. Moeen Ali was the perfect foil for him.