New Delhi, March 4 Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has raised concerns over India's fielding errors despite their strong performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, saying the team needs to address the issue urgently ahead of their semifinal against England to be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
India has been one of the worst fielding teams in the ongoing tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's team has dropped 13 catches across the competition. India's fielding efficiency has plummeted to a tournament-low 72.7%. Surprisingly, Pakistan, often criticized for its fielding, sits comfortably higher with an 83.3% success rate.
"One concern I have is the fielding, not just the way India fielded in the game at Eden Gardens. This has been happening for almost a year and a half. We are dropping quite a few catches. That is something India would definitely like to work on," Patel told Jio Hotstar.
India secured their semifinal berth after a hard-fought win over the West Indies at Eden Gardens, successfully chasing a target of over 190. Patel described it as a major achievement for the team.
"It was an outstanding win. It will be a great confidence booster for India going forward. India won the toss and decided to bowl first, thinking there would be a lot of dew. When the game ended, there was no dew at all, but the conditions did get slightly better. In a knockout game, chasing over 190, someone needed to play an outstanding innings, and Sanju Samson did that," Parthiv said.
"The captain took his hat off. He has scored a lot of centuries in international cricket, but to me, this innings was right up there. Skill-wise, we all know that Sanju Samson is a very talented batter, but fighting those mental battles is very difficult. I thought Sanju Samson did that really well. He also spoke about how his experience came into the fold. I thought it was a very mature innings. He always looked in control. He did not try to hit the ball hard. He will remember this innings for a long time," he added.
Patel also reserved special praise for pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is taking crucial wickets and putting pressure on the opposition.
"Bumrah is not a banker. He is the bank. The way he comes out and bowls, when you want to take a wicket against an in-form Hetmyer, he comes in and takes his wicket, then gets a set Roston Chase. Obviously, India has looked up to Jasprit Bumrah most of the time, and he has never disappointed. That is what he does most often. You are playing in a format right now, in this era, where the only way you can stop a batter is by getting him out, and Jasprit Bumrah does that."
Parthiv also spoke about the challenge provided by the England team. He advised India to perform at their best.
"India obviously need to get England's dangerous batters out as quickly as possible. You have Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, who is due for runs and likes the Wankhede Stadium. Then you have Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook. So, they have a good, solid line-up. It is a good all-round team. Obviously, against England, India will have to be at the top of their game," he concluded.
