SHREYAS IYER ADMITS INDIA NEED TO IMPROVE FIELDING AFTER SERIES LOSS
WELLINGTON — India captain Shreyas Iyer acknowledged his team's fielding deficiencies after New Zealand levelled the five-match T20I series with a seven-wicket victory in the final game.
India, who had won the first three matches of the series, posted 191 for eight batting first, with half-centuries from Iyer (50) and Ishan Kishan (61). However, the side's catching let them down, with Naman Dhir's drop of Tim Seifert proving particularly costly. Seifert made the most of the reprieve, compiling 93 runs, while Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 as New Zealand chased down the target with seven wickets and eight balls remaining.
The result meant New Zealand won the series 3-2, after India had taken the first three matches. Iyer said the team wanted to experiment in the final two games after clinching the series early, and for the decider India brought back Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakaravarthy.
"We can brainstorm, and we have to work on a couple of things, especially fielding. That is one aspect of the game we need to improve on," Iyer said at the post-match presentation. "It's not that easy when you come under such dark lights, clear skies."
Iyer also rued India's inability to capitalize on the strong platform provided by his and Kishan's half-centuries. "We could have been better considering the start we got in the middle. Ishan and I created the momentum and then from there on we lost back-to-back wickets. And then suddenly, pressure on the new batter. It wasn't an easy wicket to play on, especially when the ball was seaming and holding a bit and also skidding," he added.
The series loss ends India's winning run but provides the captain with clear areas to address ahead of future tours.
