Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Indian Test opener, came under fire after losing four catches in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. He squandered two simple opportunities while missing two more difficult ones.
Former Indian head coach Greg Chappell defended the young left-hander, claiming that Jaiswal has no mechanical weaknesses when it comes to catching. Chappell stated that it was simply not his day, and that a suspected hand injury could have played a factor.
Since 2023, Yashasvi Jaiswal has dropped eight catches in total, the highest by an Indian fielder, with seven of them coming in only two matches.
“India dropped many catches in Leeds, and while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja were among those involved, they are typically in good hands. The droplets I saw did not appear technical; they just did not stick. “It can happen to the best,” Chappell wrote in his column.
“That said, Jaiswal gives the impression that he is lacking confidence or that he has a hand ailment. He seemed to be hoping to catch them, rather than expecting to. One of his wasted chances came when he ran in from the boundary for a low, skimming grab. For my money, that’s one of the most difficult in cricket,” Chappall said.
The former Australian cricketer also pointed out that the rise of white-ball cricket has led to a decline in slip fielding skills among players, as outfield catches have become more common in the modern game.
“With the advent of more white-ball cricket, the specialist slip fielder is not getting as many opportunities as was once the case. All the more reason why catching practice, in particular, has to be as game-like as possible,” he concluded.
India will face England in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2, where all eyes will be on Jaiswal, not just for his batting, but more so for his performance in the fielding.
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