India's focus on fielding reaps rich dividends

Going only by statistics, the fielding of the two finalists of the Under-19 World Cup is poles apart. Both teams have played five matches so far but India are third on the list of most fielding dismissals by a side [behind Pakistan's 37 and Namibia's 35, both from six matches]. West Indies, on the other hand, are right at the bottom with 15 fielding dismissals. Both teams have excelled at batting and bowling through the tournament, but India's fielding could likely end up being the difference on Sunday.

India's work in the field was impressive from their first match. They got rid of the Ireland Under-19s openers by running them out with direct hits from two agile fielders, Ishan Kishan and Armaan Jaffer. The next two dismissals were excellent catches taken at first slip by Ricky Bhui. That was just the beginning. Washington Sundar and Sarfaraz Khan have maintained the slip-catching standards, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has completed five catches and two stumpings so far, and there have been a few one-handed catches to top these numbers.

"It's been really good so far, I've been pretty happy with it," India head coach Rahul Dravid told ESPNcricinfo. "Fielding was one of the main things we wanted to work on from the beginning itself and I think the kind of practice they have had back home has really helped. They practised at the NCA and when the team got together for a couple of days we focused a lot on fielding there, too.

"We thought, because of the nature of pitches here, the games would be really close, totals like 240-250 would be really competitive. For those situations, it was important for us to work on our close-in fielding. Things such as direct hits, cutting the angles, sharp throws."

As is the case with most senior teams, India's Under-19s squad has been traveling with a hefty support staff. Apart from Dravid, the staff includes bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and Abhay Sharma, a former wicketkeeper who is the fielding coach. Dravid and Abhay have also worked together with the India A teams recently. Mhambrey, meanwhile, played an instrumental role as Vidarbha's coach in their quarter-final run during the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season.

"These guys have access to so much nowadays compared to my days of Under-19s," Dravid said. "There's a team physio, a trainer, a bowling coach, a fielding coach to help them out from the age of 14-15."

When it comes to the specifics, Abhay has been working on clearly defined fielding drills and roles for the players, and different aspects of fielding. "We have been concentrating on specifics, like direct hits, how to get into position for high catches and parallel catches," Abhay said. "Getting into the right body position is the key. Modern-day fielding is changing and we are trying to evolve, like diving in a safer way where you don't get injured and are in a position to straightaway throw at the target.

"We are working on improving each boy at his position on the field. Even things like taking caught-and-bowled chances, in the slips, in the circle, outfield."

The results have shown in nearly every match. The combination of sharp slip-fielding and ground-fielding has helped India save roughly 20 runs per match and has allowed them to break partnerships consistently. India's average fielding dismissals per innings stand at 0.581, the highest in the tournament so far.

"We have worked really hard on catching: short catching, reflexes, how your hands are soft," Abhay said. "Everybody says having soft hands is important, but how to get it normally and naturally… that is the area we have worked upon."

Dravid said that, in addition to their natural athleticism, lush outfields are also helpful for young fielders. "They are naturally athletic and nowadays grounds are so much better. We push them to put in the extra effort and go for a catch instead of staying back and playing it safe," he said.

India's slip cordon now comprises Sarfaraz, Washington and Anmolpreet Singh, who took Bhui's place recently both in the team and in the slips. Except a few minor errors in that area, India's slip-fielding has been near-flawless. The kind of training they go through with Abhay and Dravid before each match shows how the fielders have reached such levels and quality. One outstanding moment came in their first match when Ireland batsman Adam Dennison edged one behind and the ball popped out of Pant's gloves but Bhui, at first slip, reacted quickly and took it on the rebound.

"We identified slip fielders on the basis of their fielding and positions in the teams they have played for so far," Dravid said. "There were guys like Sarfaraz, Washington and Anmolpreet who are really good with sharp catches so it was about making them better."

Abhay has also been working with the two wicketkeepers in the team - Pant and Kishan. Pant was named the designated wicketkeeper for the tournament before the side left India and Abhay said he has been using some unusual practice methods with the wicketkeeper and slip fielders in the nets.

"I have used some specific tools, like different kind of balls of varying weight which swings a lot, travels and comes quick," Abhay said. "I went to a special manufacturer to get it specifically for this tournament because I knew I have to work with full intensity right from the start. Nice to see they are responding to the ideas."

It was only in the semi-final against Sri Lanka that India's fielding showed a few blips. Pant missed a stumping, Avesh Khan dropped a simple catch and Kishan misjudged a catch, too. Against a team like West Indies, who can turn the tide of a match with such small moments, India will hope they can leave their nervousness behind and regain the high standards they have set for themselves