5 most undervalued things in cricket

#2 The short-leg fielder

Courage and Concentration: The two C’s of short-leg fielding

Audiences stand on their feet when fielders pull off screamers in the outfield to send batsman packing; the crowd goes berserk when slip fielders pluck the ball out of thin air, but when short-leg fielders pouch the ball, then it’s the bowlers who are given credit for the dismissal through his guile and trajectory.

Short leg fielding is undeniably an under-rated aspect of the game. Whenever batsmen wind up to smash the leather through the leg side, short-leg fielders, at times, get struck and injured. The short leg is a specialist position which requires immense concentration and bravery to take blows and yet stand up tall to face the music.

Renowned short-leg fielder Eknath Solkar was India’s best bet in that position, someone who rarely let an opportunity go begging. The fact that they didn’t have helmets and shin pads back in the day made it a menacing task to stand close in. The courage is worth a standing ovation and the position deserves value in the game.