Not the Batsmen or Bowlers: Fielding Lapses Cost India the Series, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Despite Virat Kohli’s brilliant 124 off 108 balls in the third ODI against New Zealand, Team India suffered a 41-run defeat in Indore on Sunday. The loss marked the first time New Zealand won an ODI series on Indian soil. While fingers often point at batsmen or bowlers after such defeats, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has identified the real culprit: India’s fielding lapses.

Gavaskar Highlights Lack of Aggression
In a conversation with former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, Gavaskar praised Kohli’s effort but criticized the younger Indian players for their sluggishness and lack of an attacking mindset on the field. He singled out Shubman Gill and the team’s fielders as key reasons India lost momentum during New Zealand’s innings.

Fielding Errors Let Bowlers Down
Gavaskar explained that the loss was not due to the batsmen or bowlers. Instead, loose fielding during the middle overs allowed New Zealand batsmen to settle in. He noted, “Bowlers were trying to build pressure, but the fielders kept giving easy singles, breaking that pressure. I won’t name anyone, but some players allowed singles far too easily. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were exceptional in the field, but overall, the fielding could have been more aggressive.”

Momentum Shift Cost India the Match
India had a strong start, removing two early wickets for just five runs and three wickets for 58 runs within the first 12 overs. At that point, the pressure was firmly on New Zealand. However, a 200-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, built from 176 balls, shifted the momentum entirely. According to Gavaskar, this was facilitated by the fielders, who allowed runs too easily, undermining the bowlers’ efforts.

Fitness and Commitment Questions for Young Players
While Gavaskar lauded the fitness and agility of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he raised concerns about the younger players’ commitment and intensity on the field. In a format where momentum is everything, Gavaskar emphasized that sharper fielding could have prevented New Zealand from gaining the upper hand in the crucial middle overs.