As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hangs in the balance, Team India is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for the crucial Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With the match scheduled to begin on December 26 and Day 1 already sold out, the intensity is palpable. To prepare the fielders for the challenge, India’s fielding coach T Dilip introduced a creative fielding drill, adding a touch of competition and camaraderie.
A $300 Prize Fielding Contest
Dilip designed a drill with a $300 cash prize at stake, aimed at energizing the players and sharpening their accuracy. The drill featured three targets: two big stumps (1 point), two small stumps (2 points), and a ball placed in the center (4 points). Players were instructed to hit these targets from various angles, with each player allotted six throws from marked positions.
To make it engaging, the squad was divided into three groups, each led by a captain:
Group 1: Captained by Sarfaraz Khan, featuring Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Group 2: Led by Mohammed Siraj, with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Akash Deep, and Nitish Reddy.
Group 3: Headed by Dhruv Jurel, comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, and Prasidh Krishna.
“The goal was to boost energy and teamwork before heading into the nets,” Dilip explained in a video shared by the BCCI.
Jurel’s Team Takes the Prize
After an intense competition, Jurel’s team emerged victorious, with the young wicketkeeper expressing his delight. “It feels amazing. Since arriving in Australia, my aim was to win this. The team effort was fantastic,” Jurel said after the win.
Dilip’s Legacy of Innovative Drills
T Dilip’s creativity in fielding drills has become a hallmark of his coaching. One of his most notable initiatives was the introduction of fielding medals during the 2023 World Cup and T20 World Cup, which India won earlier this year. These medals became a fan-favorite feature, adding a layer of excitement to India’s matches.
Before the ongoing Australia Test series, Dilip organized another innovative session focusing on the relay throw technique. This drill involved teamwork, with players passing the ball from the boundary to an intermediary fielder, who then aimed for the stumps. Fast bowlers were the first to participate, showcasing their strong arms, followed by the rest of the squad. Players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli stood out with their precise throws, earning praise from the coach.
Building Momentum for the Boxing Day Test
With the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test is critical for both teams. Dilip’s innovative drills are not just sharpening India’s fielding skills but also fostering unity and energy within the squad, setting the stage for an enthralling contest at the MCG.
