Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has stated that the Indian team need to tighten up their fielding. His comments came after the third and final T20I against Zimbabwe, played on Sunday, July 26, in Harare as well. Opting to bat, India posted 192/5, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi top-scoring with 81 off 49 balls as well. In reply, Zimbabwe finished on 157/7 in their 20 overs, falling 35 runs short as India completed a 3-0 series sweep. However, despite sweeping the series, India had a poor outing in the field. They took 18 catches but dropped 10, finishing with a catching efficiency of just 64.2%. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, grabbed 12 catches and dropped only one, registering a catching efficiency of 92.3% as well.

Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Wasim Jaffer Official), Jaffer said: “You know, the fielding was a bit disappointing. We dropped quite a few catches and gave away some very easy chances. That’s one area where the team needs to improve. We saw the same thing during the England series as well, where we missed several opportunities and dropped catches. Those mistakes proved costly there. Here, obviously, they didn’t hurt India as much, but against stronger teams, these are the things that make the difference. So I think fielding is one department where the Indian team needs to tighten up.”

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However, Wasim Jaffer also opined on Mayank Yadav, who impressed with five wickets in three matches at an average of 14.40 and an economy rate of 6.54 as well. Jaffer added that Mayank’s bowling ability has never been in doubt, but his fitness has always been the biggest concern as well.

“I mean, the biggest challenge for him (Mayank Yadav) isn’t really his skill or his bowling. None of us have too many question marks over that. The main concern has always been his fitness, how fit he can stay, how often he’s available, and whether he can play consistently. So far, we haven’t seen that. But I hope that from here on, whenever India plays the T20I series, he’s available,” he shared.

“Whether he gets selected or not is a different matter, but he himself should make sure that he stays fit and remains available. We’ve already seen what he can do with the ball. Whenever he’s been fit and has bowled at his pace, he’s looked very impressive. He has a really good action and genuine speed. But the real challenge for him is his fitness,” Wasim Jaffer concluded.