IPL 2022: 'Take 150-200 catches a day, convert nervousness into positive energy' - Maninder Singh's mantra to become a good fielder

The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season is a prime example of good catches turning a game on its head. At the same time, a dropped catch is enough to show a team the exit door. Apart from a number of jaw-dropping and acrobatic efforts by the fielders, the IPL this year has also seen a number of catches being dropped. During the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, DC captain Rishabh Pant made a mess of a caught behind chance off Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. Karthik was batting on 5 when Pant failed to grasp Karthik's catch. Karthik went on to score an unbeaten 66 off 34 balls to eventually help RCB register a win. In another instance, in the Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants match LSG's Krunal Pandya put down a dolly at long-on off Krishnappa Gowtham. RR's Shimron Hetmyer was batting on 14 when he was dropped by Krunal and the Windies batsman made a mockery of the LSG bowlers and piled on an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls to help RR post 165 on the board. In reply, LSG managed 162 and lost the match by 3 runs.

Mukesh Chaudhary (BCCI/IPL Photo)These are a couple of examples when a dropped catch really cost a team dearly. So what are the main technical reasons behind dropped catches and what kind of practice should young cricketers put in behind the scenes to become good fielders? TimesofIndia.com caught up with former India cricketer Maninder Singh, someone known for working hard on his fielding till he became a very good fielder and was stationed at point - perhaps the toughest fielding position, to talk about the art of fielding. Maninder Singh played 35 Tests and 59 ODIs for India between 1982 and 1993, and talked to TimesofIndia.com about the art of good fielding, fielding standards