Dropped catches cost us Kochi game: Tendulkar

Just how crucial fielding is in cricket, especially in a slam-bang format like T20, was there to witness for all. Sachin Tendulkar during Mumbai Indians' match against Kochi Tuskers Kerala on Friday. PIC/SURESH KKPoor fielding was the main reason for Mumbai Indians' shock eight-wicket defeat against Kochi Tuskers Kerala, skipper Sachin Tendulkar lamented on Friday. Tendulkar slammed his maiden IPL ton in just 66 balls, but that was undone by a brilliant 128-run opening stand between Brendon McCullum (81) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (56) as Kochi Tuskers successfully chased down the 183-run target to register their first win in the Indian Premier League fourth season.u00a0 In bowling and batting we matched each other, but in the fielding department they were better as they held on to whatever catches they got. We missed those opportunities. All we need to do is to make sure we don't repeat those mistakes, said Tendulkar. Little Master also emphasised on holding catches. If we had hit the right areas in bowling ufffd though at times we did manage it ufffd and those important catches, he said.McCullum was dropped first ball itself (by Rohit Sharma off Lasith Malinga). These things happen and that's why they say catches win matches.u00a0 The game was very much alive. If Malinga could get McCullum out and put the pressure back on them it would have been wonderful. The first half we managed and was wonderful, but in the second half a few lapses in fielding cost us the match. We played competitive cricket, but when it mattered we faltered in fielding, he said.