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'One Of Game Changing Moments’ - Fielding Coach On Rohit's 0.45 sec Catch vs ENG

image-lsa7m2pzPope was caught by Rohit in the fourth innings. (Screengrab)

India’s fielding coach T Dilip reckons that Rohit Sharma’s catch to dismiss Ollie Pope in the fourth innings of the second Test played a significant role in the hosts' thumping 106-run win over England in Visakhapatnam to level the series 1-1.

This win was particularly crucial for India, given their defeat in the opening Test in Hyderabad. Several standout individual performances contributed to India's victory, including Yashasvi Jaiswal's double hundred, Shubman Gill's century, and Jasprit Bumrah's nine-wicket haul. However, a crucial factor in the win was the team's athletic fielding.

Chasing a target of 399 to take a 2-0 lead in the series, England had made a promising start, reaching 132-2 in their first 28 overs. Ollie Pope was batting aggressively, having scored a quick 23 runs off 21 balls. However, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who provided the breakthrough, just as he was on the hunt for his 500th Test wicket.

Pope attempted to play a delivery just short of a length and on the off stump with hard hands on his back foot. Unfortunately for him, he could only manage a thick outside edge, which flew to the left of first slip, where Rohit was positioned. Despite the ball flying past him, Rohit displayed remarkable reflexes, moving his hands along with the ball and completing a sensational catch with his left hand. 

“Reaction time was very very less and it was played off the backfoot so fantastic effort by Rohit. Ollie Pope's catch by him was one of game changing moments in the Test,”  said T Dilip on BCCI TV.

Rohit also underlined the importance of being alert while fielding at slip positions. The Indian captain had a mere 0.45 seconds to react when Pope edged a delivery from Ashwin towards the slip. Rohit quickly positioned his hands and managed to pouch it safely.

“Sometimes the ball comes so swiftly that there's no time to react or adjust your body position. Therefore, your hands need to be in the right place at the right time. I aim to take many more catches like that in this series. Fielding is a facet of the game we take great pride in. We strive to be the best and the most intelligent fielding team,”  he added.

Pope's dismissal brought immense joy and boosted self-belief in the Indian camp as he was posing a threat to take the game away from the hosts.

Despite being in the twilight stage of his playing career, India's captain Rohit continues to display remarkable agility, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.