India faced heavy criticism for their sloppy fielding in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Fans were left frustrated as Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Shreyas Iyer dropped crucial catches, giving the Kiwis multiple lifelines. At the 40-over mark, New Zealand stood at 172 for 5, with a run rate of just above 4.
- India’s fielding errors gave New Zealand multiple chances.
- Social media exploded with memes and criticism.
- India’s bowlers fought back, but fielding lapses added pressure.
India’s Fielding Woes Cost Crucial Moments
India won the toss and chose to field, hoping to put pressure on New Zealand. However, their poor fielding display helped the Kiwis recover.
- Rachin Ravindra and Will Young built a strong 57-run partnership.
- Shreyas Iyer dropped an easy chance, allowing Ravindra to continue his innings.
- Mohammed Shami missed a simple catch off his own bowling.
- Rohit Sharma failed to grab a tough chance that could have dismissed Daryl Mitchell.
- Shubman Gill’s drop let Glenn Phillips add 34 valuable runs.
Social Media Reacts to India’s Fielding Struggles
Fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment. Memes and harsh criticism flooded social media, with many questioning India’s fielding standards in such an important match. Some fans even used the phrase “Motke Log Bhare Hai” to mock the team’s performance.
Shami bhai and dropping catches off his own bowling 🤝 pic.twitter.com/QMu0b0m8yN
— SoN! 🦋💫 || Ignore & Fly 🥂🦋 (@fanatic_devil16) March 9, 2025
Shami with a catch drop pic.twitter.com/wBxbgFKotV
— Tingus Pingis (@bent_copper) March 9, 2025
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) March 9, 2025
Team India fielding in today's match pic.twitter.com/NygoB81E0H
— v. Jatin (@JatinTweets_) March 9, 2025
India’s Fielding today 🥲#INDvsNZ
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) March 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/ifdDAiYCwN
Not sure what "the same" refers to.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) March 9, 2025
look these is final,gill can take 100 catches in every group stage but u just cannot drop catch in the final but thanks to Varun for getting Philips out
— Roman (@romann77555) March 9, 2025
These dropped catctes are not giving good vibes😭
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) March 9, 2025
4 catches dropped & hence NZL can still acore 270+ easily.
Ghatiya fielding bc teen wicket catch chuta ek shreyas ,ek shami motu ,ek rohit motka aur ek stump kuldeep motu
— 𝕭𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐚𝐦☘️ (@Solus_Felix) March 9, 2025
Bc indian team m sab botha motke log bhare h 🤧
Rohit ka pet 😭😭😭😭😭
— SURBHI SHARMA (@Imsurbhis) March 9, 2025
Rohit sharma to shreyas iyer after he dropped the catch pic.twitter.com/cnZVyWgyhr
— Stump Mic (@stumpmicsledges) March 9, 2025
Indian fans afer shreyas iyer dropped the catch of rachin Ravindra.
— Abhishek (@MSDianAbhiii) March 9, 2025
Stupid stupid stupid#StupidMoment #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/LLFvnLurZS
India’s Bowling Keeps the Fight Alive
Despite their poor fielding, India’s bowlers made a strong comeback.
- Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy picked up key wickets.
- Ravindra Jadeja bowled an economical spell, restricting New Zealand’s scoring rate.
- India needs to improve fielding in the final overs to capitalize on their bowlers’ efforts.
India’s fielding errors have put them under unnecessary pressure in the ICC Champions Trophy final. However, their bowlers have kept them in the game. As the match nears its climax, India will need to step up and seize every opportunity to avoid further mistakes and aim for victory.
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