Against all odds: Dilip’s non-linear progression to the top Premium

Fielding is a game-changer in cricket, influencing match outcomes; Dilip's journey from tutor to mentor inspires all.

Fielding is not just an aspect of cricket; it is the game-changer that can profoundly influence the outcome of a match or even an entire tournament.

While batting and bowling hog the limelight, fielding is as, if not the most important facet. A stunning catch, a lightning-quick direct hit, or a diving stop can shift the momentum of a game in a heartbeat. Its impact reverberates far beyond the boundary, shaping the destiny of players and teams.

The date is June 29 2024. The place is Kensington Oval, Barbados, and the occasion is the Men’s T20 World Cup final.

It’s a clash between a side that has come agonisingly close to winning the title in recent times and another with a rich history of incredible talent but an inability to turn up in crunch moments, enough to earn the moniker ‘Chokers.’

In Barbados, after a scintillating run to the final, it suddenly looked like a familiar script was unfolding. As the elusive World Cup title looked like it was slipping out of India’s grasp once more, Hardik Pandya was entrusted by India captain Rohit Sharma with the daunting task of defending just 16 runs off the last over. He had the unenviable task of doing so against South Africa’s big-hitting David Miller.

The weight of history was not lost on this moment. An extraordinary century, a devastating spell of bowling, or a championship-winning catch, are not just mere incidents in a match, particularly in a final. They could just prove pivotal in the game’s narrative.

A striking example of this is Kapil Dev’s remarkable catch to dismiss — arguably, the greatest batter the world had seen — Sir Viv Richards in the 1983 World Cup final. That one simple catch changed not just the course of the final, but the destiny of Indian cricket forever.