Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian opener, has been the subject of much discussion ahead of the second Test against England, but not for reasons one might expect. While he made a noteworthy century in the first innings of the first Test, his performance in the field has come under scrutiny. In parallel, Jaiswal has made headlines regarding his domestic career, with a surprising turn concerning his representation in domestic cricket.
Following India's defeat in the first Test against England, concerns arose regarding Jaiswal's fielding, specifically in the slip cordon. He dropped four catches during the match, which proved costly. According to reports, this has led to the decision to remove him from the slip position for the second Test. During a training session, Jaiswal was seen working with head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, focusing on short catching techniques. Instead of fielding in the slips, he might be positioned at leg slip, forward short leg, or silly point. Meanwhile, other players like Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill were observed practicing in the slip cordon.
Some reports suggest that Jaiswal might be low on confidence or possibly nursing a hand injury, which could have contributed to the dropped catches. Despite the criticism, Mohammad Kaif defended Jaiswal, pointing out that he was wearing a tape on his hand due to an injury, which might have affected his fielding.
In a separate development, Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a U-turn regarding his domestic cricket career. After initially seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for Goa, he has decided to continue representing Mumbai in the upcoming domestic season. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has approved his request to withdraw his NOC application. Jaiswal had surprised MCA officials in April when he requested the NOC, citing personal reasons for wanting to move to Goa. However, in May, he wrote an email to the MCA, expressing his desire to withdraw the NOC and remain with Mumbai.
Jaiswal explained that his family plans to shift to Goa had been curtailed, and he wished to continue playing for Mumbai. He also clarified that he had not submitted the NOC to the BCCI or the Goa Cricket Association. MCA president Ajinkya Naik confirmed that the Apex Council had accepted Jaiswal's withdrawal application, ensuring his availability for Mumbai in the upcoming domestic season.
This decision marks a significant U-turn for the young cricketer, who has a strong connection to Mumbai, having moved there from Uttar Pradesh at a young age to pursue his cricketing dreams. He has represented Mumbai at various levels and considers it his home.