The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second Test against England in Birmingham, but a cloud of concern hangs over young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal following a disappointing performance in the first Test at Leeds. Jaiswal's form in the field has come under intense scrutiny after he dropped four catches, contributing to India's five-wicket loss. These missed opportunities proved costly, with England capitalizing to gain a significant advantage.
In the wake of the defeat, head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen in an animated discussion with Jaiswal during a training session at Edgbaston. According to reports, Gambhir, with the assistance of Ryan ten Doeschate, appeared to be offering corrective measures, focusing on short catching technique and positioning. The video of the interaction, shared by Revsportz, suggests that Gambhir was not pleased, with the report stating, "Gautam does not look very happy after that". Ten Doeschate later addressed the matter, emphasizing the importance of having depth in the catching department, especially in English conditions.
The numbers paint a stark picture of India's struggles in the field during the first Test. The team dropped a staggering eight catches, the most in a single Test in the last three years. Jaiswal's four drops made him the top offender and exposed India's fragile fielding under pressure. Among the costly errors, Ben Duckett was dropped by Jaiswal on 11 and went on to score 62, while Ollie Pope was reprieved on 60 and smashed a brilliant 106. Harry Brook was dropped twice, once by Jaiswal, and fell agonizingly short of a century on 99.
The pressure is mounting on Jaiswal as his place in the slip cordon, and possibly even his role in the playing XI, is being questioned. Eyewitnesses reported that Jaiswal was removed from the slip cordon during training, with Sai Sudharsan taking his place in the gully. Karun Nair was spotted fielding at first slip. It is expected that Jaiswal will now field at leg slip or a close-in fielding position like forward short-leg or silly point.
Jaiswal's recent struggles extend beyond his fielding woes. His performance in the unofficial Test matches against England Lions was inconsistent, with scores of 24, 64, 17, and 5. While he has shown promise in his Test career, with 1798 runs in 19 matches at an average of 52.88, including 4 centuries and 10 fifties, his recent form has raised concerns.
Despite the criticism, Jaiswal has received support from Gambhir, who cautioned against over-hyping the youngster's achievements. Gambhir emphasized the importance of allowing Jaiswal to play his natural game without the pressure of excessive expectations. He also backed under-performing players like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, urging that they be given more time to prove their quality.
As India prepares for the second Test, the team management will need to make a tough decision regarding Jaiswal's role in the team. While his batting potential is undeniable, his recent fielding lapses cannot be ignored. Gambhir's animated chat with Jaiswal suggests that the team management is taking the matter seriously and is working to address the young opener's shortcomings. The outcome of this situation remains to be seen, but it is clear that Jaiswal is under pressure to prove his worth in the upcoming Test.
