Our catching hasn't been up to mark in this series, admits India's fielding coach

R. Sridhar, India's fielding coach, on Friday admitted that the team's fielding, especially catching, has not been up to the mark in the ongoing five-Test series against England.

India's fielding has been an area of concern throughout the series. They dropped seven catches in the drawn first Test in Rajkot, including three in first six overs and then dropped another four in the Mohali Test.

In the ongoing Chennai Test also, KL Rahul dropped Moeen Ali early in his innings. England rode on Ali's 120* to reach 284 for four at close of play on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test of the series.

Speaking at the presser after first day's play, Sridhar said, "Our catching, especially our closing catching behind the stumps off pace has not been up to the scratch as far as this series is concerned. We have set high standards over the last few years and this particular series has not been up to the mark."

"As far as our catching is concerned, it's a work in progress. You also know, there have been quite a few injuries going throughout the series and we have been changing personnel in the close cordon all the time. So, that it something we have been working on. It's not an excuse, but that is something we are working on and trying to manage the workloads and the injury part as far as the fingers are concerned and also the practices," he added.

The Indian fielding coach, however, insisted that team is working hard to improve. "We are working hard to improve and I am sure we'll only get better from here," he said.

The visitors are looking to salvage some pride in the ongoing Test having already lost the series 3-0 following crushing defeats in Visakhapatnam, Mohali and Mumbai. India, the current World No. 1, on the other hand are looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 18 Test matches, thus making a new record in the history of the team in the longest format.