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Cricket is a three-dimensional game but more focus always ends up being on batting and bowling. But the reason top teams manage to win games consistently is because they realize the importance of a good fielding unit.
"A good batsman may not always score runs and a good bowler take wickets but a good fielder saves runs for his team in every game", - Sachin Tendulkar.
Every successful team has a well-oiled fielding unit with fielders who are always alive on the field, ready to seize every little opportunity available. The IPL rates fielding highly and many awards are bestowed for stunning catches and exceptional pieces of fielding.
There have been a few players who have been standout fielders, with Suresh Raina currently with the most catches in the league.
Let's take a look at the fielding units of the teams and rate them.
Criteria: Based on a combination of catch efficiency in last season and top fielders in each side.
Source for stats: Sportswallah
Kolkata Knight Riders
Rating: 6/10
The Kolkata Knight Riders were the worst fielding side last season and dropped 22.22% of catches and were generally sloppy in the field. In fact, Nitish Rana dropped the most numbers of catches last season - five -, taking just two catches.
Apart from Dinesh Karthik and his safe hands behind the stumps, there were no standout fielders in their team. Despite possessing a very young and athletic squad, KKR need to work on their fielding, and this seemingly unimportant aspect of the game can have a big impact on their results.
Rajasthan Royals
Rating: 7/10
The Rajasthan Royals displayed a very mature fielding performance last season without possessing any athletic fielder in their side. Jos Buttler was solid behind the stumps and the youngsters in the team, especially Sanju Samson, K Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal, displayed very good fielding on many occasions. They dropped only 14 catches at a good catch efficiency.
The problem with the Royals was their poor field placements, and they missed out on many opportunities to choke the run flow of opposition.
They'll look to display the same effort and intensity on the field while some shrewdness from their skipper will be appreciated.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rating: 7/10
The Sunrisers Hyderabad were on the wrong end of the fielding standings as they dropped 18 catches last season. Despite having quality fielders in Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, and Shikhar Dhawan, they weren't at the best when it came to fielding.
Most catches were dropped off Rashid Khan (six) and Siddharth Kaul's bowling (five), and it would've been a different story if few of those catches had been taken.
With David Warner returning and the likes of Vijay Shankar and Jonny Bairstow joining the team, they have a much better fielding unit now and can correct the mistakes committed last season.
Kings XI Punjab
Rating: 7.5/10
The Kings XI Punjab were quite good on the field last season and are expected to be better this season. They had a problem of wicket-keepers at the start of the season but KL Rahul did a good job behind the stumps. Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nair were the pick of the lot as they saved many runs and took a few splendid catches. They dropped just 12 catches last season.
With a proper wicket-keeper in Nicholas Pooran joining this season, along with fresh legs in Sam Curran, they will have great fielders to choose from. Also, David Miller will be available for a longer time this time around and a much better fielding effort is expected from the side.
Mumbai Indians
Rating: 8.5/10
The Mumbai Indians had an excellent season on field last season though they were unable to make it to the playoffs. They dropped only 12 catches and were very efficient and energetic on the field. Their best fielders were the Pandya brothers and skipper Rohit Sharma, although Ishan Kishan could have been better behind the stumps.
They have signed Proteas keeper Quinton De Kock to remedy that. He's one of the best when it comes to taking catches behind the stumps and will add to the side's fielding strength.
Delhi Capitals
Rating: 8.5/10
The Delhi Capitals topped the fielding charts last season to everyone's surprise. They were effective on the field and Trent Boult's catch to dismiss Virat Kohli is simply unforgettable. They dropped just 10 catches and their ground fielding wasn't bad as well.
They have acquired Shikhar Dhawan, and their young Indian players are very good fielders themselves. They failed with the bat and ball early on last season and will want to remedy that.
Chennai Super Kings
Rating: 9/10
The Chennai Super Kings have the biggest names when it comes to fielders and probably have the best fielding unit on paper. They have players like Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja, Raina, and Dwayne Bravo, who are excellent in the outfield and MS Dhoni who is lightning-quick behind the stumps
They dropped 14 catches while taking 69 in a good fielding season and will look to continue with that. Though, statistically they weren't the best fielding unit, they have match-winners who can change the game only with their fielding.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Rating: 9/10
The Royal Challengers Bangalore are one of the best fielding units in the entire league and they possess a few of the best fielders in the league. Skipper Virat Kohli is one of the best in the business and AB De Villiers has taken many great catches in IPL history. They also are one of the best ground-fielding teams and have effected many run-outs.
They have brought in players like Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, who are good fielders, and will further strengthen their title hopes. RCB look a complete side and with a very strong squad on paper, they will look to win the title this season.
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