Camp ends with accent on fielding

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For India to excel in the upcoming Test series against England starting on November 15 at Ahmedabad, the close-in fielding apart from batting and bowling will need to be top class.

With the hosts expected to dish out undercooked pitched to aid their spinners, the fielders in catching positions will have a tough task.

To make sure those sharp chances are not muffed, the Indian support staff on the final day of the three-day preparatory camp here at the Cricket Club of India laid a special emphasis on fielding.

Fielding coach Trevor Penny and chief coach Duncan Fletcher were seen testing Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli’s reflexes, with some sharp and fast catches from a close range.

The two expected to field at forward short leg a\nd silly mid-on/off position — once the spinners are introduced into the attack — looked set for the task.

Virat Kohli missed little that came his way and pouched some brilliant diving catches leading to huge applause from club members, who had gathered in large numbers.

In a bat-pad simulation of sorts, Pujara on the other hand was given low catches one after the other and the Rajkot-boy too was impressive.

Meanwhile, the Indian batters had individual batting sessions on the centre wicket against the likes of Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav and the net bowlers.

Spinners Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh too were seen in action but R.Ashwin only had a batting session.

Yuvraj Singh, who picked 5/94 against England XI in the first tour game too bowled on the main wicket.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not have any keeping drills but chose to bowl a few deliveries yet again.

Indian tail-enders too had a batting session post the lunch break. With the conclusion of the camp, the Indian team will leave for Ahmedabad on Monday morning.