Nine dropped catches, a third-worst catch efficiency, and some near-costly mistakes—these aren't numbers befitting a world champion team
India may have secured their third Champions Trophy 2025 title in Dubai, but their fielding told a different story. While Rohit Sharma’s composed 76 and a formidable spin attack clinched the victory, several missed catches made the journey more challenging than it ought to have been. With a catch efficiency of only 70%, India ranked among the tournament’s weakest fielding teams, surpassed only by PAK and Bangladesh.
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Could these squandered opportunities have changed the outcome? Perhaps. However, as the title celebration progressed, it was hard to overlook the errors that could have cost India dearly.
Let us examine the five most glaring fielding mistakes that nearly derailed their efforts.
A tough final and in-form Glenn Phillips at the crease was an opportunity India needed to seize. However, as Jadeja delivered one down, Phillips swung hard, sending the ball to Shubman Gill at deep midwicket. Despite diving with fingers outstretched, the ball slipped through.
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Gill, wearing sunglasses, misjudged the catch, granting Phillips a crucial lifeline. The all-rounder did not cost India significantly, but his departure added to their growing list of fielding issues.
Just when India thought it had Rachin Ravindra, Shreyas Iyer gave him another opportunity. Varun Chakaravarthy bowled one up, and Ravindra went for it, sending the ball spiralling to deep mid-wicket. Iyer covered 21 metres in pursuit and leapt with outstretched arms, but the ball slipped through his grasp.
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He had put in all the effort—the speed, the dive, and the determination—but the catch would not stick. Fortunately for India, their bowlers ensured this situation did not turn into a nightmare.
How do you set the tone for a semi-final? A wicket from the first ball would have sufficed, but Mohammed Shami had other ideas.
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Shami charged in, causing the ball to nip in hard. Travis Head was caught off guard and closed the face of his bat too quickly. The ball bounced off the front edge and sailed directly back at Shami. Despite a reflexive shot with his right hand, the ball ended up on the ground.
Saud Shakeel attempted to shove one into the stands, causing pressure to build. Axar Patel’s delivery struck the toe-end of the bat, and the ball hovered in the air before sailing wide to long-on.
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Kuldeep Yadav rushed over, stretched low, and positioned his hands beneath it. But just when it seemed a clean catch, the ball wiggled loose. Another letdown, another sigh of frustration.
Rohit Sharma has led from the front with his bat. However, in the slip cordon, he was less sharp. Axar Patel was on a roll, aiming for a hat-trick. Jaker Ali edged one straight to the first slip, precisely where Rohit was waiting. A simple chance that one could take with their eyes closed.
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Unfortunately, Rohit spilled it. Frustration surged as he pounded the turf in rage. He apologised, but the damage had been done.
