Problems with fielding and constant dropped catches in the Indian women's team are becoming increasingly serious. Consequently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has initiated a search for a new fielding coach for the team and announced applications for the position. The deadline for submission is November 16th.
Previously, Munish Bali served as the fielding coach for the women's team. He held this role during a recent series of white-ball matches against the home side. During this series against Zimbabwe, the weak fielding of Indian players was once again discussed, as the constant dropping of catches called into question the team's fielding standard.
The issue of poor catching in the Indian women's team was also evident during the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup. In the group stage, the team dropped a total of 10 catches across five matches. Three of these were lost against South Africa, which gave Marizahn Kap several chances to save them. Ultimately, the Indian team was forced to exit the group stage.
Following the team's performance in the tournament, questions arose regarding its results, and head coach Amol Majumdar acknowledged the need for improvements across all three disciplines: batting, bowling, and fielding. He agreed that the team failed to deliver the expected results in all aspects.
Even after the World Cup, significant improvements in the fielding of Indian players were not observed. In the three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, India dropped four catches. Subsequently, in the first ODI match, the team missed another four opportunities. In the first ODI match, Rich Ghosh dropped two catches, including an easy catch behind the wicket. Catches were also dropped by Dipti Sharma and Kranti Gaur. Furthermore, the Indian team failed to capitalize on two run-out opportunities.
Despite the team securing a clean sweep of 3-0 in the ODI series, the persistent issue of dropped catches raised questions about the role of the fielding coach and team preparation.
According to BCCI information, the new fielding coach will be tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive program to create a world-class fielding unit. They must conduct fielding drills both during training and during matches. Additionally, they will be responsible for developing players' skills according to their individual needs. Their duty will also include assessing players' fielding performance under various game conditions.
The Board has also requested applications for the position of a new head physiotherapist for the men's team. Kamlesh Jain resigned from this post in September. The candidate for this position requires at least 10 years of experience in physiotherapy. Experience working with elite players or teams, especially high-performing squads, is also required.
The Indian women's team's next tour is scheduled for December, when they travel to South Africa. This multi-format tour will commence with a single Test match in Gqeberha on December 9th. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series starting December 16th and a three-match T20 series starting December 26th.
