Ghosh: Short boundaries in New Zealand cut fielders' reaction time

India's fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh said on Friday, November 6, 2026, in Wellington that short boundaries in New Zealand reduce reaction time and create a challenge for fielders ahead of Saturday's second ODI. He added that experienced players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma rely on muscle memory to manage that pressure.

Ghosh, who succeeded T. Dilip as India's fielding coach in August, said his work has concentrated on stability and on improving players' judgement of the ball. “We did well in the first ODI, we got some good catches, ground fielding was good, intensity was good,” he said, and added that the team is conscious of dropped catches and is taking responsibility for them. “Catches are part of the game, sometimes we drop some. We are conscious about this, we are taking responsibility. A lot of things are emphasised in practice sessions.”

Addressing conditions specific to New Zealand, Ghosh stressed the need to read the ball's movement and maintain stability. “In New Zealand, judging the ball is very important, the movement, the stability, these are things we are emphasising in the dressing room,” he elaborated.

When asked about a sharp catch by Virat Kohli and the run out executed by Rohit Sharma in the series opener, Ghosh pointed to anticipation and repetition as differentiators for long-serving players. “In fielding, one thing that is important is anticipation. Virat reads the situation earlier than other guys. Same for the Rohit run out, he was anticipating the ball. Experience as well as natural talent (goes into making a great fielder) and doing the same thing again and again,” he said.

Ghosh described specific practice methods intended to speed up reactions, saying the side is using a lighter ball in drills. “The lighter ball moves away from you and requires stability,” he said, linking that work to quicker reflexes in limited space.

On the effect of small grounds, Ghosh warned that reduced outfield area forces players into closer positions and shortens the time available to react. “If you play in (grounds with) small boundaries, there is no outfielder, everyone is infielder. The reaction time is less, the boundary is so close,” he added.

Ghosh made these remarks on the eve of Saturday's second ODI in Wellington, the immediate next match for the side following the first ODI of the series.