Dravid at first slip and Laxman at second seldom spilled anything that came their way. Their soft hands and proper catching technique assured bowlers that every nick would be pouched. This was one of the many reasons why India did well abroad in their time.
Almost two years after their retirement, India are still struggling to identify their replacements behind the wickets. After Murali Vijay made a mess of a sitter offered by Kane Williamson at first slip on Day One of the Auckland Test, it is up to fielding coach Trevor Penny and coach Duncan Fletcher to figure out what they can do to improve matters.
With MS Dhoni and Co playing most of their cricket overseas this year, the coaching staff have a task on their hands to build a solid slip cordon. R Ashwin, who was being groomed as Dravid's replacement at first slip and was just about warming up to the task, has lost his place in the playing XI post South Africa.
For Laxman, who snared 135 victims in Tests, most of them at second slip, the key is to identify specialists. "Fielding at slip, silly point and forward short-leg needs special skills. It's not like anyone can come and just stand there. You require a different kind of concentration level and different kind of skill sets to stand in these positions."
"Like any other skills in cricket, the more you do that (practice) the better you become in that position. I think it is very important to identify the specialists and I feel they have already done that like in Ashwin and Vijay," Laxman told TOI on Thursday. The stylish Hyderabadi batsman puts it down to practice.
Wasim Jaffer, who has fielded at slip or gully for a better part of his career for Mumbai and India, agrees with his former teammate. "The more catches you take in practice sessions the better."
Interestingly, Laxman and Jaffer insist that even though batsmen are better off fielding in the slips rather than the bowlers, it is the catching skills that should ultimately matter.
"Batsmen usually concentrate better. Because a frontline bowler, who is in the middle of an important spell, may not be able to focus 100% as he will be thinking about his bowling. But suppose if the bowler is a very good catcher, you need to have catching skills and possess proper concentration while fielding in the slips. But I would always recommend a batsman to stand there as once he is dismissed, he can focus 100%," says Laxman.
A reputed coach who has worked with the current lot of players picked four players who he feels have the necessary skill sets and will be successful.
"Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma can all become good slip fielders. Pujara in particular, as he has good reflexes and has been fielding at short leg," he said.
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