Why India ignore dropped catches! ›

After a long time, this unit has dropped a few catches. The main thing is to improve and work hard to rectify mistakes. MOHD SHAMI, On India’s poor catching

NEWDELHI:ALTHOUGH India failed to get lively tracks in Nagpur and Delhi, paceman Mohammed Shami feels the fast bowlers got an opportunity to bowl long spells ahead of their tour of South Africa as the wickets weren’t completely spinfriendly.

A total of 51 overs have been shared by Shami and Ishant Sharma in the ongoing third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Despite the air pollution in Delhi, which has affected the visiting team members, it was an outstanding effort from the Indian bowlers, especially the pace bowlers who have taken two wickets each.

“We haven’t got the kind of wickets which could’ve helped us prepare for South Africa. But the good thing is we (pacers) got a chance to bowl long spells and our fitness has been tested,” Shami told journalists at the end of the day’s play.

“Overall, as a bowling unit, we have bowled and fielded for 100 overs (Sri Lanka were 356/9 in 130 overs). This shows we’ve performed to the best of our abilities as a unit.”

Shami, the third highest wicket-taker (8) in the series, said it’s all about getting better with each match whatever the pitch conditions.

“As fast bowlers, we get to bowl very less in sub-continent conditions, especially in India. It’s very rare that a fast bowler gets to bowl a long spell in such conditions. But in the last oneand-a-half years or so, fast bowlers are continuously bowling close to 25-30 overs. This gives us a chance to showcase our skills.”

The results could have been better if the fielders had not dropped four catches.

“When catches are dropped off your bowling, you feel angry,” Shami conceded.

“But we ignore it as it’ll be better from the team’s point of view.”

“It’s up to the coach and captain to decide who fields where. After a long time, this unit has dropped a few catches. The main thing is to improve and work hard to rectify mistakes,” Shami said. Asked whether the Delhi wicket will help India to force a victory, he said: “We’ll give our best till the end and hope to win.”