Ahead of the ENG vs IND 2nd Test, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has advised India to invest in a specialised gully fielder. His remarks come after the India dopped at least six catches in the Leeds Test. Bangar urged India to position to place an experienced person at the gully position who was used to catching at the slips for a long time.
New gully specialist needed
Speaking to JioHotstar, Bangar opined that the role as a fielder at gully was a very specialized position and that India will have to invest in a particular player to master the art of catching at gully. He pointed out that previously, Anil Kumble and Ajikya Rahane used to occupy the role as gully fielders and had excelled as well.
“And wherever actually fields—basically, gully is a position in cricket which is a very, very specialized position. And that’s where I think India will have to invest in a particular player to master the catching part in the gully area. In my memory, Kumble did that really well for India when he was playing. Ajinkya Rahane made that spot his own. But after that, there has to be real focus on developing a good gully fielder,” Bangar said.
Bangar opined that it was essential to do so because most catches went there, unlike the common perception that most catches come at the point area.
“But your best catcher actually has to be slightly wider in the slip cordon—maybe that four-slip area or even the gully region. And that’s where a lot of those catches go. And it’s high time that India thinks of putting a specialist there. And maybe that responsibility will have to be taken by somebody who’s done the role of slip catcher for a long, long period of time,” Bangar added.
