IPL 2019: Virat Kohli has dropped the most catches this season

In cricket’s T20 format, fielding is given utmost importance. A great catch or a dropped one can influence the final outcome of games in this short-lived version of the game and fielding is thus considered as big a part of the game, maybe next only to batting. However, in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, fielding has not been up to the mark for a number of teams and some fielders have done poorly in their individual capacity.

As of April 21, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli is the owner of a dubious record. A brilliant fielder, Kohli has dropped four of the six catches that came his way in this tournament, marking a poor conversion rate of only 33 per cent. One of the main reasons for the RCB’s poor show this season has been their fielding, something which their bowling coach Ashish Nehra has also conceded.

And Kohli, unfortunately, hasn’t quite succeeded in setting up an example although he has done well with the bat, even hitting a hundred amid the ruins.

Joffra Archer spilled three catches in one match

Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) bowler Joffra Archer is the second culprit on the list with three dropped catches. The West Indies-born cricketer who England are trying hard to play in the upcoming World Cup spilled three of the six chances that he got and all of them happened in the same match against Mumbai Indians. Archer’s conversion rate is a mediocre 50 per cent.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dashing batsman Yusuf Pathan also dropped both the catches that he had to grip. Kolkata Knight Riders’ Kiwi bowler Lockie Ferguson also grassed the two catches that came his way, as did RR’s Krishnappa Gowtham.

Delhi Capitals’ opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is having a decent tournament with the bat, clung to one catch while spilled two others, marking a conversion rate of 33 per cent.

On the other hand, players like Rishabh Pant (DC), Deepak Hooda (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Hardik Pandya (MI) have found themselves among the safest hands.

Players with most dropped catches in IPL 2019

(As of 21st April 2019, via ESPNcricinfo)

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