"Catches win matches and it is vital that we take these chances when they are offered. We need to do a bit of work in this regard," Kumble said.

Indian fielders dropped centurions Misbah-ul Haq and Kamran Akmal early in their knocks in the first innings and also let off the dogged Mohammad Sami. All three made vital contributions to ensure that Pakistan avoided defeat in Kolkata.

"There were certain moments in the match where, if we had held on to the catches, things could have been different," the leg-spinner said.

India were in a very strong position at one time on the third day when after amassing a mammoth 616 for five declared in the first innings, they had half of the visiting team back in the pavilion with only 150 on the board.

But Misbah and Akmal did the repair job with a 207-run partnership which brought Pakistan back into the game.

"We were in a fantastic position but the Pakistan batsmen applied themselves well. Credit must go to Misbah and Kamran and Younus and Yousuf who denied us the victory."