Offering a rare glimpse into the techniques coaches use to sharpen players’ skills, fielding coach T Dilip has revealed how he’s helping India’s stars tackle the unique challenge posed by the Dubai International
Cricket Stadium when playing under the lights.
India are currently in UAE for Asia Cup 2025 where they have qualified for the Super 4 stage by winning their first two Group A matches. They next face Oman on Friday.
Unlike conventional floodlights mounted on tall towers to ensure clear visibility at night, the Dubai stadium features lighting installed around the circumference of its roof, creating a striking ‘Ring of Fire’ effect.
While visually spectacular, this design poses a challenge for fielders. When attempting high catches, the ball often passes through this ring of fire, causing fielders to momentarily lose sight of it and at times, it may trigger a little indecision.
“One of the challenges we encountered, especially in Dubai Stadium, is (that) the lights are slightly different. It’s more of a ‘Ring of Fire’ which are on the dome basically rather than the poles what you usually come across,” Dilip said in a video shared by the Indian cricket team on their Instagram account.
“The challenge in the ‘Ring of Fire’ is especially on an outfield boundary line catches – there is a tendency that you lose the sight of the ball for a split second, especially when the ball is traveling through that or coming through it,” he added.
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To help players get used to losing the ball mentally, Dilip asks them to take a quick glance at the boundary rope before resuming their attempt.
“And another challenge is because of the humidity and density, the depth and perception of high catches over a period, the drop is different when compared to other places. We have been taught throughout our life that always watch the ball into the hands and as soon as you don’t see the ball for a split second, you tend to panic. So, what we try to do in practice session is add variable practices,” Dilip said.
“What we did at boundary line catching is as soon as I hit the ball, they see the ball. But if for a split second they are watching back at the rope – so we are replicating that split second. If you take 5-6 catches like that, then slowly the players realise that even if you lose the ball for a split second in the light, you still have a lot of time,” he added.
