Before a high-octane India vs Pakistan clash, the focus area shifts to batting prowess and bowling discipline. However, it was India’s fielding coach T. Dilip who garnered attention this week in Dubai with an innovative drill that had players rejuvenated. The idea was to build a catching routine akin to that of a goalie that improves reflexes.
India’s new training test
According to a report in Times of India, Dilip’s setup involved a goalpost-sized safety net placed away from the batting nets. Players were challenged to protect their “goal” by cutting angles and pouching catches fired at them with a brand-new ball which was chosen deliberately because of the extra zip and carry it offers. Each player worked through two sets of five catches, rotating like batters do in a net session. The drill was as great and would help the players go about their catching.
Hardik Pandya set the tone. After shelling one, he quipped, “Agar main dive maar raha hoon iska matlab main theek se move nahi kar raha” (If I am diving, it means I am not moving and anticipating quickly). Moments later, he flung himself to snatch a blinder, before rushing to Dilip with a celebratory hug.
Vice-captain Shubman Gill followed with four full-length grabs that had Dilip himself applauding. Rinku Singh initially struggled but found his rhythm and ended the drill in style. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, too, earned fist bumps after proving themselves.
Earlier, the squad had been divided into two groups for a precision-throwing competition, aiming at full stumps, half stumps and even a back roller. Shivam Dube drew first blood, but it was Rinku Singh who won the contest and walked away with a medal from Dilip. Away from the catching nets, strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux put players through the taxing Bronco Test, which is famously a rugby-style aerobic drill designed to improve endurance and reduce injury risks.
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