India is no match to any of the top sides when it comes to fielding: Ravi Shastri

The Indian team's subpar fielding against Australia in the opening T20I of the series has drawn criticism from former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Despite amassing a huge total of 208 runs after batting first, India was unable to restrict the visitors, who had a good outing on Tuesday, September 20, and chased down a record total at the PCA stadium in Mohali.

After the game ended in Australia’s favour, skipper Rohit Sharma was also critical of the Indian bowlers, and expressed his disappointment saying that the bowling attack was not up to the mark. India’s experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar went on to concede 52 runs within in four overs spell, whereas Harshal Patel gave away 49 runs. Only Axar Patel was up to the mark as he registered 3/17.

"If you look at all the top Indian teams over the years, there is youth and experience. I find the youth missing here and hence the fielding. If you look at the last five-six years, fielding wise, I think this side is no match to any of the top sides when it comes to fielding. And that can hit badly in big tournaments," Shastri said on Star Sports after the match.

I was disappointed with the standard of fielding: Shastri

Shastri also discussed how fielding affects the batting side, which must score more runs to make up for the disadvantage the fielding unit creates. A total of three catches were missed by India against Australia in the second innings, two of which were critical ones of Cameron Green and Matthew Wade, who later served as the driving forces behind Australia's victory.

"It means that as a batting side you have to get that 15-20 runs game after game, because if you look around the field, where is brilliance? There is no Jadeja. Where is that X-factor? What I was disappointed today with was the standard of fielding. I mean, it looks sloppy, and I think you need a big upping of the ante when it comes to the fielding if you have to beat big sides in big competitions," he further stated.