India are set to begin their all-format tour of New Zealand on October 22, with a five-match T20I series scheduled to start in Christchurch. The teams will then compete in an ODI series beginning November 4, followed by the Test series, which starts on November 19 in Wellington. The tour stands out because India traditionally travel to New Zealand during the January-February period.

Ahead of the challenging assignment, former India senior men’s fielding coach R Sridhar has expressed concerns about the team’s fielding standards. He believes the players will need to adapt quickly to the different weather conditions while addressing the inconsistency that has affected their performances in recent months.

Speaking to India Today, R Sridhar pointed out that the contrast between India’s hot October weather and New Zealand’s conditions could make the transition difficult for batters, bowlers and fielders alike. “I think our fielders will have to adapt. As you know, we’ve had a very hot October in India this year, thanks to El Nino, the super El Nino. So, there’s going to be quite a bit of adaptation required from our fielders, bowlers and batters,” Sridhar said.

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He also highlighted the specific challenges that players could encounter in different cities. Wellington is known for its strong winds, which can make judging high catches difficult, while Christchurch’s Hagley Oval can be particularly cold.

“Especially when you’re playing in cities like Wellington, which can be really, really windy, high catches could always become a challenge. But if you’re in Christchurch, at Hagley Oval, it’s a lovely, lush green cricket ground, and it can get very chilly,” he explained.

R Sridhar advised Indian players to take precautions against the cold, particularly when fielding for extended periods. “All the fielders will have to protect themselves by using hand warmers, keeping their hands in their pockets or warming them up every now and then,” he added.

However, the former fielding coach believes the issue goes beyond adapting to New Zealand’s climate. According to R Sridhar, India’s fielding has remained inconsistent across several recent matches, making it an area that requires greater attention. He argued that while the Indian team has established clear approaches to batting and bowling, the same clarity is missing in its fielding philosophy.

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“I think fielding has definitely taken a backseat in terms of application and building a certain culture. We can see a clear culture in the way the Indian team bats, and similarly, there’s a clear culture in the way the Indian team bowls,” R Sridhar said. He further noted that the team’s selection and tactical preferences are evident in bowling, but a similarly defined approach to fielding remains a concern ahead of the demanding New Zealand tour.