Watch: Team India’s catching practice gets a colorful twist to deal with stray balls

The Indian cricket team’s training sessions have always been known for their innovative approach, and they recently introduced a new method using multicolored rubber balls for catching drills. The purpose of this adaptation is to prepare players for unexpected changes in the ball’s trajectory, which can prove costly during critical moments of the game. One of the rising stars of the Indian team, Shubman Gill was seen taking a catch from the green ball during fielding drills at the Arundel ground. As well as green balls, there were also yellow balls, although these were not the normal lawn tennis balls commonly used by keepers and close fielders for reflex catches.

high energy level

increasing the intensity with each subsequent session #WTC23 ,#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/q6IAORAkIz– BCCI (@BCCI) June 2, 2023

According to a renowned fielding coach who has worked at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and national camps, specially designed rubber balls, known as “reaction balls”, are not commonly seen in local street cricket. She goes They are used exclusively for fielding practice, mainly in countries such as England and New Zealand where the presence of wind and cold conditions can affect play. The coach clarified that the selection of specific colors for the balls, such as green, has no scientific or cricketing significance. However, there is a reason behind using these rubber balls for catching practice, especially for slip fielders and keepers. In England, due to the inherent dampness and the green outfield beyond the 22-yard area, the ball deviates more than usual, making it challenging to collect or catch.

England is known to be the primary country where balls hitting the outside edge of the batsman exhibit significant deflection, and this phenomenon is also seen to some extent in New Zealand. The coach explained that the Dukes ball used in the England matches wobbled even more, making it more difficult to catch. As a result, rubber “reaction balls” are employed in training because they are lighter in weight, causing an increase in wobbling, swinging, or deflections. Its purpose is to help players adjust to the ball’s changing trajectory and line. As for the different colours, they serve the purpose of preventing players from losing sight of the ball at the last moment. By using different colors, it becomes easier to judge the line of deviation until the very last moment when attempting to catch the ball.

In essence, the Indian cricket team has incorporated the use of multicolored rubber balls during their catching practice sessions to acclimatise themselves to unexpected variations in the trajectory of the ball. These balls, known as “reaction balls”, are specially designed for fielding practice and are used in countries such as England and New Zealand where weather conditions can affect play. The choice of colors helps players track the line of deflection of the ball until the very last moment, ensuring better catching skills. Ultimately, this innovative training approach aims to enhance the team’s fielding ability and prepare them for the challenging conditions in international matches.