R Sridhar warns that India’s fielding woes could worsen in cold New Zealand

India’s fielding woes could face further scrutiny in their upcoming tour of New Zealand, with former fielding coach R Sridhar warning that the unknown weather conditions could worsen an already worrying trend. While India have established a clear identity with bat and ball, their inconsistency in the field has become a persistent problem and the challenge of adapting to New Zealand’s cold and windy spring could leave little room for further error.

The contrast of conditions will be significant. India experienced unusually warm weather in October, with El Nino conditions developing in the equatorial Pacific and influencing global weather patterns.

New Zealand, meanwhile, will be moving through spring when temperatures can remain cold, winds can pick up and conditions can change quickly. For Indian players accustomed to warmer conditions, adapting to the cold can be especially important when attempting difficult catches or catching close to the tee.

“I think our fielders will have to adapt. As you know, we had a very hot October in India this year due to El Nino, a super El Nino. So there will be quite a bit of adaptation from our fielders, bowlers and batsmen,” Sridhar said at a virtual press conference organized by Sony Sports Network.

WINDY WELLINGTON, COLD CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand conditions can be particularly challenging for fielders, with Wellington known for its strong winds and Christchurch can produce cool mornings and evenings during spring.

High catches, which require players to judge the trajectory of the ball while accounting for the wind, could become a major test of concentration and technique. At Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the lush green pitch and cool conditions can also require players to prepare differently between overs. Harshit Rana drops a high catch. (Photo by Reuters)

Sridhar believes that the Indian players will have to make practical adjustments to ensure that the cold does not affect their ball handling. Keeping your hands warm and staying ready between deliveries can be especially important when the temperature drops.

“Especially when you’re playing in cities like Wellington where it can be really, really windy, high catches can always be a challenge. But if you’re in Christchurch, at Hagley Oval, it’s a beautiful, lush green cricket ground and it can be very cold.”

“All fielders will have to protect themselves by using hand warmers, keeping their hands in their pockets or keeping them warm,” Sridhar said.

THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN THE CONDITIONS

However, the weather is only one part of the challenge. India’s fielding standards have come under scrutiny after repeated dropped catches and missed opportunities in recent months. The concern is that the team has not consistently backed up its batting and bowling performances with the same level of reliability in the field.

The mistakes were particularly evident during the 2026 T20 World Cup as India struggled to establish themselves as a consistently sharp fielding unit. Although the team won the tournament, its success did not completely mask the problems. For Sridhar, the result should not become a reason to overlook shortcomings that could prove costly in tougher competitions.

“But it’s not going to be easy, I’ll tell you. The form is not great as you said. The Indian team’s fielding form has not been great in the last few matches, even in the last few months. It’s not just a year, form has been a problem for quite some time,” added Sridhar.

AXAR PATELA’S MOMENTS OF BRILLIANCE

India’s semi-final against England offered a reminder of how excellent fielding can change a match. Axar Patel produced two remarkable tries when he dismissed Harry Brook with a running catch before combining with Shivam Dub in the relay to send Will Jacks back. These moments helped India take control of the high-scoring contest and eventually secure a seven-run victory.

Axar’s contribution was particularly notable as it showed the impact anticipation, athleticism and composure can have under pressure. However, India cannot rely on individual moments of brilliance to compensate for repeated mistakes across the unit. The challenge is to make such efforts part of a consistent team standard rather than isolated peaks. Axar Patel’s sensational effort on the boundary line won India the semi-final. (Photo by Reuters)

Sridhar’s assessment is that India needs to address a fundamental approach to fielding instead of treating dropped catches as occasional mistakes. A team’s success with bat and ball has often been built on clearly defined methods, but the same common purpose must be carried over to the field.

BUILDING CULTURE IN THE FIELD

India’s bowling plans, especially in ODIs, reflect a recognizable philosophy. Captain Shubman Gill has shown his preference for tall, fast bowlers who hit the deck hard, giving the attack a clear identity. Sridhar believes similar clarity is needed in this area, where expectations, applications and responsibilities must be set across the group.

“I think fielding has definitely taken a backseat in terms of applying and building a certain culture. We can see a clear culture in the way the Indian team bats and similarly there is a clear culture in the way the Indian team bats,” Sridhar said.

“Especially in ODIs, Shubman Gill likes tall, fast bowlers who hit the deck hard. But when he comes to the field, the same clarity seems to be missing.”

The India tour begins with the first T20I at Hagley Oval on October 22, followed by the ODI series from November 4 and the Test series starting on November 19 in Wellington. With the 2027 ODI World Cup around the corner, India have an opportunity to make a real force from the start. But if their recent slumps continue, New Zealand’s cold and wind could make it even harder to hide an existing weakness.

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