India’s Fielding Horror Show in Asia Cup 2025: Ten Drops Against Bangladesh

India’s fielding in the recent Super Four encounter with Bangladesh has ignited a firestorm of criticism. The side let go of roughly ten catches over the last two matches of the Asia Cup 2025, a figure that would make any coach nervous. In a sport where a single dropped chance can swing a game, the numbers are stark and the fallout immediate.

What went wrong on the field?

From the opening over, the Indian side looked uneasy. In the 17th over of Bangladesh’s chase, Shivam Dube missed a low‑inside edge that should have been a routine grab. A few overs later, a boundary‑riding pull from Liton Das slipped through the fingers of a fielder positioned at long‑on. Each miss added pressure on the bowlers, who had to dig deeper for wickets.

Team captain Rohit Sharma tried to rally his men between deliveries, but the rhythm never returned. Even seasoned catch‑makers like KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya looked out of sync, dropping soft half‑volleys that would normally be easy put‑aways.

Players and coaches speak out

After the match, spinner Varun Chakravarthy faced a barrage of questions at the press conference. He didn’t shy away from the truth.

“You can’t excuse dropped catches at the international level,” he said. “We need to start taking every opportunity. It’s a basic part of the game.”

Chakravarthy also pointed fingers at an unlikely culprit: the stadium’s floodlights. Dubai’s International Stadium is famed for its “ring of fire” lighting, a bright halo that surrounds the playing area. Several players mentioned that the glare made it harder to judge the flight of the ball, especially on low catches near the boundary.

In defence of the team’s preparation, Chakravarthy outlined his post‑IPL routine. After finishing the IPL, he played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, took a short break, and then focused on honing both his batting and fielding. He hopes the extra work will translate into sharper reflexes under the glaring lights.

Analysts have not been kind. Cricket pundits described the fielding display as a “horror show,” noting that India’s fielding standards have slipped far below the expectations set by previous tournaments. They warned that if the issue isn’t addressed quickly, it could jeopardise India’s chances of lifting the cup.

Despite the drama, the pitch itself offered a different story. Chakravarthy praised the fresh surface, saying it was “coming onto the bat well” and lacked the uneven bounce seen in earlier matches against the UAE. The batting-friendly conditions, however, did little to mask the catching problems.

As the tournament progresses, the Indian camp faces a stark choice: tighten up the fielding or risk watching opportunities slip away, match after match. The next game will be a litmus test for whether the team can shake off the horror show narrative and get back on track.