India working on their fielding constantly, admits Morkel

Morne Morkel says India are working on their fielding – a weakness that could yet prove costly in the ongoing World Cup. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side have been below par in the field, ranking the worst not only among the four semifinalists but also across the Super 8 teams.

"Obviously fielding is something that we speak about a lot," the India bowling coach said. "That I think at times we're guilty if we're honest of giving away maybe 15-20 runs in the field. So that's one aspect that we keep on working hard and asking the guys to really step up on.

"For us it's just again focusing on what we've got in front of us and we have to be at our best tomorrow to beat England."

India have taken 33 catches but dropped 13 in the tournament so far, their catching efficiency being 71.7 percent. They rank 15th among the 20 teams that participated in the World Cup.

"Nobody looks to drop a catch on purpose," Morkel said. "It's not like we don't train it. There's a lot of focus going into our fielding. It's just to keep on doing the hard work, really focusing on specifics, getting certain players into the hot spots and the right areas.

"So the responsibility that the players need to take on the field is to find yourself in a position, in the hot zones and to work a little bit extra. And if we can get the right players in those positions, hopefully we can take the catches."

Bowling has also been exposed in some games and Varun Chakaravarthy, India's lead spinner, has struggled. "I don't know if you expect us to bowl every team out for 120, 150. We're in the semi-final and we've won games of cricket and the guys have done well," Morkel shot back.

As for Chakaravarthy, Morkel said, "I keep on telling him that in our bowling lineup, with the skill and variation Varun's got, he's got the ability to take a wicket almost every ball. So if he goes for a boundary, he's not executed as well as possible. For him it's just to move on to the next one and make sure he commits to that next ball.

"I think he's a highly skilful guy, hard to pick once you walk into the crease. So for him it's just about getting that confidence with the ball, getting his speed, his length, control right and not trying to overthink it. He's a match winner for us."

Morkel also defended Abhishek Sharma, who has been off-colour in the World Cup managing only 80 runs in six matches, which includes three back-to-back ducks. "Sometimes this game can be hard on you, cruel on you. This is good growth for him, it's good learning for him. For a young guy finding his feet in international cricket, this will only help him down the line.

"Abhishek, his way of playing, one or two shots that can find him that rhythm, that can give him that confidence back. And that for me is a pleasing sign. It's a fresh page for him tomorrow, an opportunity to go and do well.

"He scored 100 here against England not so long ago. So for him, it's just tapping into those little videos and looking at his feel-good moments and building a blueprint and knowing he's starting on zero tomorrow. It's a new opportunity for him."