Floodlight problem

The floodlights at some of the smaller venues have come in for criticism as well, with Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hinting that insufficient lighting is affecting the fielders. “Buffalo Park (East London) doesn’t have adequate floodlights. Fielders as well as batsmen are finding it difficult to sight the ball. The floodlights at Port Elizabeth too are inadequate,” he said.

However, he admits that his side needs to improve its fielding. “I am concerned about our fielding which hasn’t been up to the mark. We have dropped so many catches. Against Deccan, we had a good score to defend so it didn’t matter much. But in low-scoring games, it can go against us.”

All travel, no practice

The bottom-placed Knight Riders are the runaway leaders when it comes to grassing sitters. A team member blames it on the hectic scheduling — KKR played nine matches at four different venues. “There is hardly any time to get used to the conditions or for enough fielding practice.”

Coach John Buchanan insists that the fielding has been good but admits “there have been occasions when we have let our team down by dropping a few catches”.

Skipper Brendon McCullum, who has seen the team lose two matches because of poor fielding, agrees. “You can’t drop five catches and expect to beat a good side. It was disappointing because catching is one area you should be able to control in the game. And unfortunately we put down some chances that cost us big.”