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Kohli, Sharma excel in field despite New Zealand's compact grounds

India's star batsmen continue to impress with sharp fielding performances in New Zealand despite the challenge posed by smaller grounds that limit reaction time. Their consistent positioning at the same spots has developed strong muscle memory, according to the team's fielding coach.

LSN India · 6 November 2026

Kohli, Sharma excel in field despite New Zealand's compact grounds

India's top-order batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are proving their mettle in the field during their New Zealand tour, delivering impressive fielding displays despite the difficulties presented by the host nation's compact grounds.

New Zealand's smaller cricket grounds present particular challenges for fielders, offering considerably less reaction time to respond to the ball compared to larger stadiums. Despite these constraints, Kohli and Sharma have maintained their high fielding standards throughout the tour.

Subhadip Ghosh, India's fielding coach, attributed the duo's consistent performance to their years of experience playing in the same fielding positions. "The muscle memory developed over years of fielding in similar positions has strengthened their instinctive responses," Ghosh explained, highlighting how familiarity with their designated spots allows them to compensate for the reduced reaction time.

The Indian cricketers' ability to adapt to different ground dimensions underscores the value of positional consistency in developing fielding excellence. Their performances in New Zealand demonstrate that technical preparation and experience can overcome environmental challenges in international cricket.