India’s Fielding Woes: Four Catches Dropped as New Zealand Sets Modest Target in ICC Champions Trophy Final
As India and New Zealand faced off in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, the Rohit Sharma-led team found themselves grappling with fielding lapses that could haunt them. Despite a strong bowling performance, India dropped four catches in New Zealand’s innings, allowing the Blackcaps to post a total of 251/7 in 50 overs.
The Indian fielders’ struggles were evident throughout the day, taking their tally of dropped catches to nine in the tournament—the most by any team. India also recorded the third-lowest catch efficiency rate in the eight-team competition at 70%, ahead of only Bangladesh and Pakistan.
On the other hand, New Zealand’s fielding unit was in stark contrast, boasting the highest catch efficiency rate and proving to be one of the most well-coordinated sides in the tournament.
India’s fielding issues were glaring in the early stages of New Zealand’s innings, where they missed multiple opportunities to dismiss key batsmen. The first missed chance came in the seventh over when Mohammed Shami, attempting a catch off Rachin Ravindra’s shot, got his fingertips to the ball but couldn’t hold onto it. In the process, Shami injured his non-bowling hand and had to receive treatment from the physios.
Ravindra, who had already been offered a lifeline, was given another chance in the very next over. Shreyas Iyer made a long run of 21 metres towards deep midwicket, but despite a valiant effort, he couldn’t cling onto the ball.
Fortunately for India, these missed chances did not cost them heavily, as Ravindra was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav on the very next delivery in the 11th over, after scoring 37.
The fielding woes continued as Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s top scorer with 63 runs, benefited from a dropped catch by Rohit Sharma. The Indian captain, stationed at midwicket, leaped to take a difficult one-handed catch off Mitchell’s shot, but the ball slipped through his hands, denying India a crucial breakthrough.
Soon after, Shubman Gill joined the list of fielding mishaps, dropping a catch off Glenn Phillips in the next over. Gill, running to his left from deep square leg, slid and got both hands on the ball, but it slipped out of his grasp, making it the fourth dropped chance of the innings for India.
These fielding lapses may prove costly as India looks to chase down New Zealand’s total in what promises to be a thrilling contest. With the pressure on the Men in Blue, they will be hoping to make amends for their fielding errors in the second innings to keep their hopes of lifting the Champions Trophy alive.
