India Sideline Jaiswal for 2nd England Test After Fielding Woes in Leeds Defeat: Report

India’s fielding performance, stung by multiple drops in their shock opening Test defeat to England in Leeds, has prompted a significant reshuffle in the slip cordon, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal reportedly removed from the position.

While India’s batsmen, including centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and twin tons from Rishabh Pant, delivered in the first Test, the bowling’s overreliance on Jasprit Bumrah and fielding errors proved costly. Jaiswal, fielding in the slips, dropped four catches during the match – moments identified as decisive in the loss.

According to a Revsportz report, the slip cordon during Monday’s training featured Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Shubman Gill. The report detailed Sudharsan and Reddy rotating between fourth slip and gully, with Nair at first slip. Rahul and Gill were positioned at second and third slip.

Concurrently, head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate reportedly conducted a separate flat catching session with Jaiswal. Revsportz indicated Jaiswal might now field at positions like forward short leg or silly point.

Expert Analysis on the Drops
Australian legend Greg Chappell, writing for ESPNcricinfo, suggested Jaiswal might be “low on confidence” or potentially “suffering a hand injury,” noting the drops didn’t appear technical. “Jaiswal gives the impression of being low on confidence… He seems to be hoping to catch them rather than expecting to,” Chappell observed. He highlighted the increasing difficulty of developing specialist slip fielders due to less practice opportunities in white-ball cricket, emphasizing the need for highly realistic catching drills.

Following the Test, former player Mohammad Kaif defended Jaiswal, pointing out the opener was wearing tape on his hand due to an injury, which Kaif believed contributed to the missed chances.