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India's Yashasvi Jaiswal is attended by a physio on day one of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley in Leeds, England, Friday, June 20, 2025, (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Former India player Mohammad Kaif, known for his excellent fielding in his heyday, explained the reason why Yashasvi Jaiswal may have dropped crucial catches during the India vs England 1st Test at Leeds. According to Kaif, the strap which Jaiswal has put around his hands may have a role to play in his dismal catching against the hosts.
“Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? We are practicing with Duke’s ball, and when we get hurt, we put a strap. In such a situation, the fingers are stuck and there is no free movement. You can’t hold onto the catch because the strap becomes a sponge. The ball bounces off it, so that’s the drawback. The natural connection with the ball shouldn’t be lost,” he said on his YouTube channel.
India notched up a subpar fielding record against England at Leeds which went a long way in the visitors losing the match by 5 wickets as England chased down 371 runs.
Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? The reason could be the band on his palm. Listen. pic.twitter.com/FP1O8xFwQj
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 25, 2025
In the first innings, Ollie Pope tried to steer Bumrah through the cordon, but got a thick edge which Jaiswal dropped in the cordon, the ball hitting the wrists. Pope went on to make 106. He would next drop Harry Brook in the same innings. As Brook tried to guide Bumrah through the slip cordon, all that he managed was an edge which went in the direction of Jaiswal at fourth slip. But the Indian opener fluffed a simple chance, handing Brook another life.
In the second innings, Mohammed Siraj delivered a short ball with fielders lined-up on the leg-side boundary. Jaiswal ran in, covered the ground and got both hands to the ball, but couldn’t hold on to it as Siraj looked totally frustrated. Duckett went on to make a match-winning 149.
Not just Jaiswal, even players like Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Bumrah also ended up dropping catches which ultimately paved the way for an England victory.
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