India's journey to the Asia Cup 2025 final has been marked by a glaring concern: a significant decline in their fielding standards, particularly during the Super 4 stage. This has emerged as a critical area of concern for the team as they approach the high-stakes final.

In the Super 4 match against Bangladesh, India's fielding was notably poor, with multiple dropped catches that allowed Saif Hassan to survive four times. Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma were among the culprits who gave reprieves to Hassan, who went on to become the top scorer for Bangladesh with 69 runs. Kuldeep Yadav also dropped a catch in the same game. Ultimately, India dropped five catches in the match.

This wasn't an isolated incident. In their previous Super 4 encounter against Pakistan, India also struggled in the field, dropping three catches. Abhishek Sharma dropped Sahibzada Farhan early in the innings, and Kuldeep Yadav put down Saim Ayub. Shubman Gill also dropped Faheem Ashraf. These errors allowed Pakistan to build momentum and put pressure on the Indian team.

The numbers paint a clear picture of India's struggles in the field. They lead the Asia Cup 2025 in dropped catches with a total of 12, reflecting a concerning catch efficiency of just 67.5%. This is significantly lower than Pakistan (86.3%) and UAE (85.7%). Nine of these dropped catches occurred in the last two games alone.

Several factors have been attributed to India's poor fielding performance. Varun Chakaravarthy pointed to the "ring of fire" lighting system at the Dubai International Stadium, suggesting that it can sometimes obstruct the fielders' vision. However, he also emphasized that professional players should not rely on excuses and need to adapt to the conditions.

The repeated fielding lapses have drawn criticism from fans and experts alike. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his concerns, stating that dropping so many catches can be costly, especially against strong opponents. He highlighted the need for improvement and pointed out that such mistakes could prove detrimental in crucial matches. Even the fielding coach, T Dilip, has expressed his displeasure.

Despite the concerns, there have been moments of brilliance in the field for India. Axar Patel took a sharp catch near the boundary to dismiss Saif Hassan, showcasing excellent skill and awareness. Abhishek Sharma also redeemed himself in the game against Pakistan with a diving catch.

India's batting and bowling have compensated for their fielding lapses. Abhishek Sharma's impressive batting performance against Bangladesh and Kuldeep Yadav's strong bowling spells have helped the team secure victories. However, as they move into the final, India needs to address their fielding woes to avoid any potential setbacks.

Improving fielding is crucial for India's success. Sharper catching and improved ground fielding will not only prevent opposition batsmen from getting reprieves but also build pressure and create more wicket-taking opportunities. With bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy in good form, a more reliable fielding unit would make India an even more formidable force in the Asia Cup 2025 final.