Asia Cup 2023: India's dismal catch efficiency rate grabs eyeballs after poor fielding vs Nepal

India are facing Nepal in their second fixture of Asia Cup 2023 on Monday, September 04 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. Despite facing an inexperienced Nepal side, India’s fielding was disastrous during the match as they dropped three catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan shelled down regulation catches to give reprieves to Nepal openers.

Notably, India have the second lowest catching efficiency rate of 75.1% since the World Cup 2019. It’s only better than Afghanistan who have a rate of 71.2 %. World Champions England take the top spot with a rate of 82.8% while Pakistan are second on the list with 81.6% efficiency. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be eager to work on their shortcomings with the World Cup 2023 just a month away.

India’s fielding woes began in the very first over of the game against Nepal as Shreyas Iyer failed to grab the catch of Kushal Bhurtel at first slip. In the very next over, former India captain Virat Kohli dropped a sitter at short cover of Aasif Sheikh. To make matters worse, wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan let down another straightforward chance in the fifth over bowled by Mohammed Shami.

Shardul Thakur breaks partnership once again

The Indian fielding was all over the place as players looked at each other in dismay. Nepal openers made full use of their reprieves as they put on a 65-run stand for the first wicket off 59 balls. When nothing worked in India’s favour, captain Rohit Sharma brought Shardul Thakur into the attack and he repaid the faith immediately. Thakur managed to find the outside edge of Bhurtel’s bat which was safely grabbed by Kishan behind the stumps giving India their first success.

After an explosive start from Nepal, India managed to claw their way back into the game courtesy of a three-wicket haul by Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner picked up 3/25 in his seven overs to leave Nepal on 127/4 after 29 overs.