Noted coach Vasu Paranjape witnessed Maharashtra's sloppy fielding in the practice tie against Karnataka
Pune Mirror, September 26, 2008
Morning shows the day is a popular dictum and if one has to go by that saying, things are not looking bright for the Maharashtra senior cricket team if one is not sounding cynical. Of course, one can easily take comfort in the alibi that this was the first practice game of the season and the boys were a rusty look.But can that explain the insipid fielding display of the State side in the four-day game against Karnataka at the PYC Gymkhana ground on Wednesday? Certainly no. The State team brought their butter fingers to the fore, literally lampooning the 'Catches win matches' cricketing phrase.
The Kedar Jadhav-led side team dropped two chances at the fag end of day one and continued their sloppy work on the field on day two as well, putting down another five catches to allow the Karnataka batsmen to pile on the runs. Karnataka motored along to 444 for 3, gaining a handsome 191-run first innings lead."The fitness levels of the boys have clearly improved after they were put through the paces under newly-appointed Aussie trainer John Hetherington. There's no doubt about that. But the manner in which they grassed sitters here left a lot to be desired," quipped noted coach Vasu Paranjape.
Paranjape, who coached the great Sunil Gavaskar, says there can never be an excuse for dropping catches. "I do understand that the boys are playing their first game of the season, but that doesn't give you the licence to put down easy catching opportunities," he said.
He, however, feels the boys look a promising lot and but must learn to develop quickly. "Talent is there but you got to be developing your skills. Motivation has to come from within to improve. You don't expect others to give you the drive to excel," remarked Paranjape.
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