7 bravest close-in fielders in cricket history
The art of catching the cricket ball is a special gift. Some do it well, some not so well, and then there are the gifted few who do it with what appears to be nonchalant ease. Especially in close positions, it becomes extremely difficult and requires exceptional concentration and reflexes. Fielding at close-in positions like forward short leg or silly point is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But few cricketers have proved themselves to be brave, having embraced the positions, and even risking getting struck by batsman. Typically, fielding at these positions has proven to be not only dangerous, but also tough, considering the speed at which the ball is being hit and the short distance between the fielder and the batsman.Few fielders in the world have turned out to be exceptional in these positions, taking crucial catches to dismiss well-set batsmen, even turning matches on its head.A look at the 7 bravest close-in fielders to have played the game.
#1 Eknath Solkar
Known for his exceptional fielding, Eknath Dhondu Solkar was arguably India’s greatest forward short-leg fielder. His fielding and catching contributed substantially to the success of India's spin quartet of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna and Venkataraghavan in the 1970s.
The supremely athletic Solkar had made the dangerous forward short-leg position virtually his own with his supple arms, lightning reflexes, hawk-like eyesight, brilliant anticipation and amazing concentration - all without a helmet, arm-guards or shin-guards.
He would dive full-length and scoop the catch millimetres from the ground in his cupped two-handed style, unique among bat-pad specialists.