‘India a bit lazy, Australia grabbed their moments’: Kaif explains the importance of slip catching in WTC Final

Slip-catching in cricket requires hand-eye coordination, anticipation and immnese concentration, and it’s an aspect of the game India has often faltered in after Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman set high standards. The present fielders have not always been able to judge the speed and direction of the ball, resulting in costly and often match-turning makes.“It is all about coordination because it is a special position. In England, most wickets fall to catches behind the wicket since the ball moves a lot. So a slip fielder is always in play throughout the game,” observes former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, one of the best fielders the country has produced.Hence, the chances missed in the cordon can make or break a game for a team. India missed one such opportunity in Australia’s second innings in the World Test Championship final at The Oval when Alex Carey (batting on 41) edged the first delivery after lunch from Umesh Yadav, and the ball went between first slip Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at second, with neither going for it. Both just stood there, watching the ball fly past them. One can argue that it was Kohli’s catch because it was going to his right side.
Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip and Virat Kohli at second slip watch an edge from Alex Carey (batting on 41) fly past them. (SCREENGRAB)
“These things must be sorted out before you take the field. You can’t miss these chances,” stressed Kaif.
TV cameras also showed Pujara wearing pads while standing in the slips. “This is being lazy. In these moments, the fielder probably thinks there won’t be catches coming to slips, and there might be a declaration on the cards. But it was a vital stage of the game when India couldn’t afford lapses.”
“Shin pads make your movement slow, and you can’t bend properly. I don’t believe it doesn’t affect you,” Kaif added. “These are not makes that have happened for the first time. I have seen them happen again and again and no one gives it much thought.”

Anticipation is another essential skill for slip fielders. They must be able to read the swing and predict where the ball is likely to go. This is not always easy, as batters can be unpredictable. However, the best slip fielders can read the batter’s body language and guess where the ball may go.
“Converting half-chances can win you matches. Take a look at the half-chance that Steve Smith had offered in the first innings when the ball fell short of Kohli at slip. Australia were at 190, and if Smith had fallen then, who knows what might have happened.”
“In England and Australia where there is bounce on offer, slips stand almost 25 yards behind the stumps. In Asia, you stand nearer to the batter. So, someone like Kohli must know where he needs to stand so that he takes these chances. These are ways in which you can win games for your team.”
Eyes on the ball
Concentration is also essential for slip fielders. They must be able to focus on the ball for the entire delivery. The best slip fielders can block out all dractions.
Citing the effort from Smith in taking Kohli’s catch on the fifth day, Kaif said that it was a textbook catch. Smith took it with both hands, diving to his right. It showed he was looking at the ball all the way through. It was not all about reflexes but regular habits.
“Like batting, slip-fielding is also about staying in your box and focusing on every ball. The catch that Smith took of Kohli does not come often in a game, and it came on the last day of the game. But Smith was ready. He had got his basics right,” said Kaif.

“It is a routine you follow every time you go into the cordon. If the routine and basics are good, it does not matter if it is the first ball of the game or the last; it will help you. All the best catchers follow this routine,” explained Kaif.
“A lot of people talk about the ball wobbling in England. But it wouldn’t matter much if the fielder has all his basics covered, and his technique is right. Relaxed feet, eyes on the ball, not grabbing but letting the ball come to you. When you bend the knee, how much will you bend? How wide are your feet? All these small things matter; this is probably where Australia won the game. Winning those small but crucial moments is what helped them,” he concluded.