India fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh has praised the team's sharpness and commitment on the field following their victory in the opening ODI against New Zealand, pointing to the collective effort of the fielding unit in restricting the hosts to 185. India began the five-match series with a five-wicket win via the DLS method in a rain-interrupted contest at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. Ghosh felt the team's performance in the field, particularly their catching, ground fielding and overall intensity, complemented the bowlers' efforts in keeping New Zealand's total under control. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the second ODI in Hamilton, Ghosh expressed satisfaction with the way the players backed up the bowling attack with their fielding contributions. "We did well in the first ODI. We took some good catches, picked up wickets and backed it up with excellent ground fielding. The intensity was very good. When you restrict the opposition to around 180, it reflects not just good bowling but also quality fielding," Ghosh said. Among the standout moments in the series opener were Virat Kohli's spectacular catch and Rohit Sharma's sharp run-out. Both senior batters made significant contributions in the field, with Ghosh attributing their efforts to their ability to anticipate situations and read the game quickly. Explaining Kohli's brilliance, the fielding coach pointed to the batter's extensive experience in the cover and point positions, which allows him to judge the direction and movement of the ball more effectively. "I think anticipation is extremely important. The more time you spend in a particular fielding position, the better you become at reading the game. Virat has fielded at cover and point countless times, so he knows the trajectory and path of the ball, as well as how it is likely to travel after impact. He reads the situation slightly earlier than others, and you can see that in his execution," he said. Ghosh also broke down Rohit's contribution to the run-out, explaining how the Indian batter had already begun moving towards square leg after anticipating where the ball was likely to travel. That early movement helped him execute the dismissal with precision. "As far as Rohit is concerned, I think he anticipated that the ball would go towards square leg during that run-out. He wasn't moving straight; he was already shifting slightly towards square leg. That early anticipation allowed him to execute the skill perfectly. The more familiar you become with a particular position, the quicker you are able to anticipate what is going to happen. That's what makes the difference," he added. The fielding coach also spoke about the difficulties players encounter while adjusting to different playing conditions during overseas tours. Varying ground dimensions, colder weather and unfamiliar boundary placements can all influence a fielder's positioning and movement. According to Ghosh, understanding the dimensions of a ground and making the correct initial movement are particularly important, as they help players cover more ground and reduce the angles available to opposition batters. "When you travel to different countries, adapting to new conditions is always a challenge. The ground dimensions vary, the weather can be cold, and these are aspects we regularly discuss in the dressing room. In terms of ground dimensions, when you field in a particular position, observing the batters and understanding where the boundary rope is becomes important. Your first step is crucial because it allows you to cut down the angles and cover the ground more effectively. We constantly work on that initial movement," he said. Ghosh further stressed that adapting to changing environments is an essential part of international cricket and requires players to maintain the right approach, irrespective of whether they are training or competing. "That is part of the challenge of international cricket. You travel to different countries, encounter different conditions and have to adapt accordingly. With optional training sessions, it ultimately comes down to your mindset. I always emphasise the importance of having the right mindset, both individually and as a group," he concluded. India will take on New Zealand in the second ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday. While the hosts will be eager to draw level, India will look to build on their opening victory and extend their advantage in the series.
