Dropped catches at Dubai: Coach George explains why

HE last two group matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Stadium were vital for more than one reason. It had a future of six teams in the World Cup depending on the result of that match. However, for the fans watching from the stadium or their homes, the two matches will be remembered for the amount of dropped catches they witnessed. Whether it was Pakistan or England, both teams that eventually could not make it to the semifinals, were the culprits for dropping as many as six catches each. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the other venue of the tournament, has also witnessed many dropped catches, but it has not been as bad as the Dubai Stadium.

Biju George, former India fielding coach, knows a thing or two not just about catching or fielding, but also about the venue. "When you are in Dubai, under those lights for a fraction of a second, the ball is lost to you," George told this daily. "I have worked at that ground during the IPL season after the Covid-19 pandemic with Sunrisers Hyderabad and during the Dubai International League T20 (ILT20), it was very tough. Catching, especially, in Dubai has always been tricky. You need to take a lot of catches in practice. If you see the ball, eventually, it's going to come down, but you need to be ready. Taking many catches is the only way to be prepared," he added.