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Updated July 3rd, 2019 at 18:22 IST

'Rishabh Pant needs to improve his throwing technique': India's fielding coach gives update on young wicket-keeper's switch to the outfield at the World Cup

The burly Rishabh Pant not only needs to be more athletic in the outfield but also improve his throwing technique, observed fielding coach R Sridhar after his few lapses during the World Cup game against Bangladesh.

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The burly Rishabh Pant not only needs to be more athletic in the outfield but also improve his throwing technique, observed fielding coach R Sridhar after his few lapses during the World Cup game against Bangladesh.

Sridhar admitted that as far as fielding in the outfield is concerned, Pant is still a work in progress.

"A lot of work has to go into him (Pant). First of all, he needs to improve his technique in throwing and also needs to be a little more athletic to be an outfielder," Sridhar said at the mixed zone after India posted a 28-run win over Bangladesh here on Tuesday to make it to the World Cup semifinals.

The skipper Virat Kohli and senior-most player Mahendra Singh Dhoni have identified a few specific fielding positions in the deep for Pant.

READ | "Valuable Contribution To Our Meme Ammunition": As Rishabh Pant Tries To Hit His Bat For Six, Netizens Have Some Fun

"We have to use him at appropriate (fielding) positions, that is what Virat and MS are keen on. Keep him at the right places at the right time. In the last game (vs England), he saved at least five runs which is a huge bonus. He took a catch as well," the former first-class cricketer said.

As per Sridhar's assessment, veteran Dinesh Karthik is a better outfielder compared to the young turk.

"Obviously, Dinesh despite being a wicketkeeper is a good outfielder. He pulls off some good saves at backward point. Rishabh is developing and he needs to do this a bit more to develop the awareness, to get a hang of it. That's why we harp about getting fielders in the same positions so that they get an idea. This is all about awareness just like you saw in the last game against England. This ground is a bit like Eden Gardens. Once you are beaten, there's no way that you can chase it. There is no point running around towards the boundary line." In a ground like Edgbaston, which isn't exactly spherical in shape, knowledge of angles becomes important, Sridhar said.

The fielding coach also gave details about how Indian players are encouraged to throw one bounce into the pitches adjacent to the match strip in order to scuff the leather off the cherry, which will then help the slow bowlers. Sridhar said that there is no equipment available that measure the pace of the throw coming from the outfield but the coaching staff ensures that the throw that comes in is nice and hard. 

India has been a decent fielding side in the ongoing World Cup and have already earned a semi-final spot after defeating Bangladesh. India will play their last league game against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

READ | World Cup 2019 | An Excited Rishabh Pant Talks About Playing His First World Cup For India On Chahal TV

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Published July 3rd, 2019 at 15:46 IST

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