Slip fielders' positioning is too close: VVS Laxman

Indian slip fielding has been extremely disappointing this series

London, Aug 17 (IANS) One of the finest slip fielders, former Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman feels that Indian cricketers in the slip cordon are standing too close to each other and are getting confused.

"Definitely, they are very close. I was the one who used to take the gap between the first, second and third slip," Laxman was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"When we were playing in sub-continental conditions, it was six steps. The moment we used to play overseas it used to be seven or eight because there is more bounce and more carry for the fast bowlers. So the distance can be maintained a bit more than in sub-continental conditions. They were very close and that adds to the confusion."

Laxman, who has 135 catches to his name in Tests, feels that slip fielding comes from confidence just like batting or bowling.

"At the moment, the slip fielders in the current Indian team are low on confidence for obvious reasons. They have dropped a lot of catches but what was good to see is that they are capable of taking the catches. Murali Vijay showed that, Ajinkya Rahane showed in Southampton," said the 39-year-old.

The Hyderabadi has full faith in India's slip fielders but feels that they lack consistency.

"They are capable of taking catches but it is about consistency. It is also important for Dhoni not to chop and change the fielders in the slip cordon. You have to have specialists in that position."