Yashasvi Jaiswal's performance in the first Test against England has been a mixed bag, sparking discussions about his role in the upcoming second Test at Edgbaston starting July 2nd. While he achieved a remarkable century in the first innings, his fielding lapses have come under scrutiny.

Jaiswal had a memorable start to the series, scoring a fluent 101 off 159 balls in the first innings at Headingley. This century made him the first Indian opener to score a Test century at Headingley, Leeds. He also became the fifth Indian to score a century in his first Test innings in England. His innings included 16 fours and a six, demonstrating his aggressive yet composed approach. However, he couldn't replicate his performance in the second innings, falling for just four runs.

Despite his batting success, Jaiswal's fielding in the first Test was subpar. He dropped four crucial catches, which proved costly as India lost the match by five wickets. These dropped chances significantly impacted the game, with India dropping a total of eight catches that cost them approximately 250 runs. Most of Jaiswal's missed opportunities occurred in the slip cordon, leading to speculation about a change in his fielding position for the second Test.

India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has addressed the concerns surrounding Jaiswal's fielding. Speaking ahead of the second Test, Ten Doeschate expressed his support for Jaiswal, acknowledging him as a "very good catcher". He suggested that Jaiswal might be given a break from fielding in the gully to manage his confidence and allow his "sore" hands to recover. Ten Doeschate emphasized the importance of versatility in the fielding unit and the need to have multiple players capable of fielding in key positions.

During a recent training session, Jaiswal was not part of the slip cordon, further fueling speculation about a change in his fielding role. Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill were seen fielding in the slips, while Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy rotated between fourth slip and gully. Jaiswal was observed working closely with head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, focusing on short catching techniques.

Despite the fielding concerns, Jaiswal is on the verge of achieving a significant milestone in his Test career. He is close to becoming the fastest Indian to reach 2,000 Test runs, a record currently held jointly by Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, who reached the mark in 40 innings. Jaiswal has scored 1,903 runs in 38 innings and has a chance to surpass Dravid and Sehwag in his 39th innings in the second Test.

Looking ahead to the second Test, India might consider strategic changes to their team composition. Ten Doeschate hinted at the possibility of playing two spinners, given the dry conditions underneath the grassy pitch at Edgbaston. The decision will depend on the weather forecast and the condition of the pitch on the morning of the game.