Shami, Rohit, Shreyas Iyer, and Gill missed crucial catch opportunities.
India’s fielding performance was subpar when they bowled first against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. They dropped four catches, occurring in pairs in consecutive overs, initially with the new ball and later during the middle overs against left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. The batsmen who were given reprieves were Rachin Ravindra (twice), Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips. Here’s a breakdown of the dropped chances:
6.3 – Mohammed Shami to Ravindra, 1 run, Shami gets fingertips to a catch, but it’s dropped, and he calls for the physio. He was in his follow-through and attempted to take a highish ball to his left with fingers up. The ball burst through his fingers. Ravindra, attempting to punch a fullish length ball, got a life on 28.
Ravindra survived again in the next over, on 29:
7.1 – Varun to Ravindra, 2 runs, Another dropped chance, again a difficult one. Shreyas ran from deep midwicket, slid, and made contact outstretched, but the ball spilled out. He covered 21 meters but couldn’t hold on.
These dropped catches didn’t immediately hurt India as Kuldeep Yadav bowled Ravindra in the 11th over, dismissing him for 37.
34.5 – Patel to Mitchell, 2 runs, Rohit drops a one-handed catch at midwicket, leaping and tipping it over. He was 27 meters away and mistimed his jump due to pace. It’s considered a tough chance. Mitchell was given a life.
35.6 – Jadeja to Phillips, 1 run, Gill drops a catch running to his left from deep square leg, sliding and getting both hands to it, but it popped out. Phillips was also given a life on 27.
Phillips’ dropped catch also didn’t prove too costly. He was dismissed for 34 shortly after by Varun Chaktravarthy’s googly. However, Mitchell capitalized on his chance, scoring a half-century and getting out for 63 in the 46th over to Shami.
