Jaiswal's Slip Fielding Woes Lead to Edgbaston Test Reprieve: India Shakes Up Catching Strategy After Costly Drops

During India's recent intense fielding drills in Birmingham, ahead of the Edgbaston Test, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was noticeably absent from the slip cordon and gully region. This decision follows Jaiswal's struggles in the first Test, where he dropped four catches, contributing to India's five-wicket loss.

Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped as many as four catches in the first Test ni Leeds (Reuters Photo)

Yashasvi Jaiswal fielding during a match.

Fielding coach T Dilip led an intensive slip-catching session at Edgbaston. Karun Nair, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul participated in the drills, along with Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, Jaiswal was not involved in these specific exercises. Instead, he worked with assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate to improve his reflexes at short leg and leg slip positions, focusing on close-in catching techniques.

The Indian fielding unit faced criticism after dropping six chances in the first Test. This poor performance allowed England to minimize India’s first-innings lead, trailing by only six runs. Jaiswal's dropped catches were particularly costly, with three coming off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling.

Ten Doeschate addressed the press in Birmingham, confirming the coaching staff’s decision to remove Jaiswal from slip duties. The aim is to protect his confidence and allow him to regain his form.

“We always want depth in the catching department. Yashasvi has been a very good catcher for us,” Ten Doeschate stated. “Maybe just give Yashasvi a break from catching in the gully for a little while. His hands are quite sore. We want to get his confidence back up.”

During the first Test, the ball frequently found its way to Jaiswal. Stationed at gully and occasionally at fourth slip, he missed three crucial catches, which significantly aided England in posting a total of 465 in response to India's 471.

In England’s second innings, Jaiswal dropped a relatively straightforward catch at deep fine leg, giving Ben Duckett a reprieve at 97. Duckett capitalized on this opportunity, scoring a match-winning 149.

Potential for Two Spinners in Birmingham

Ten Doeschate hinted at the possibility of India employing a spin-heavy attack in Birmingham, necessitating reliable close-in catchers.

“There’s also an argument for short leg being a very important position, particularly if we are going to play two spinners. And we want to pick more guys in that position.”

Despite head coach Gautam Gambhir's public downplaying of concerns regarding India's fielding, the rigorous drills at Edgbaston suggest otherwise. To simulate match pressure, the team used a black cloth to create a ‘blind spot’. From behind this, T Dilip launched catches at the slip fielders, testing their reflexes and decision-making under pressure.

India will face England in the second Test at Edgbaston from Wednesday, July 2, to Sunday, July 6.