NEW DELHI: Gujarat Titans' batter B Sai Sudharsan has expressed confidence that his side is working hard on improving their catching and ground fielding, having dropped 12 catches in six IPL matches so far.
Titans, who snapped Rajasthan Royals' unbeaten run with a three-wicket win in a narrow chase, will return to action on Wednesday with a clash against Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad.
The IPL 2022 winners did manage to get over the line in a tense finish against Royals but their task would have been much easier had Matthew Wade held on to a chance to dismiss Riyan Parag early in his innings.
IPL: POINTS TABLEORANGE CAPPURPLE CAP
Parag had a fortunate escape when he was on just six runs, courtesy of a missed opportunity by the Australian wicketkeeper-batter. Taking full advantage of this lifeline, Parag went on to play a remarkable innings. His knock of 76 runs came off a mere 48 deliveries, showcasing his attacking intent and ability to score quickly.
"Every fielder who is fielding, he wants to take a catch. He wants to contribute in any such way possible. But even after the last game, we are a team which practice a lot, we field a lot actually, we field every day," Sudharsan told the media in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
"It didn't change like after the last game — we didn't try and field more or do all those kinds of things. It's just (about) being aware and being ready for the fight."
Titans' fielding has been a concern throughout the IPL season, with at least one catch being dropped in each game. However, the match against Rajasthan Royals saw them miss three chances, marking the second time they've had such a poor fielding performance.
Previously, Titans had also dropped three catches, including a difficult one, in their encounter with Punjab Kings. That game took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where Kings managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by a narrow margin of three wickets.
"That (is something) we have definitely had a conversation that whatever happens, just be for the fight and give your 100 per cent in the field," Sudharsan added.
Sudharsan disclosed that both Wriddhiman Saha, the wicketkeeper-batter, and David Miller, overseas star, have recovered from their injuries and are available for selection in the upcoming match against Capitals.
When asked about the notion that Titans' batters have been starting their innings slowly and taking too long to finish the game, as seen in the match against Rajasthan, the left-handed batsman disagreed with the assessment.
"(The) situation asked us to be deeper there. (The) situation asked us, to me, (to) the game deeper. Definitely if the situation rises, if the wickets are that great, (or) if we are chasing a bigger target, for sure we have to start getting runs from the first," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
