Following India's defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley, reports have emerged of a potentially significant shift in team dynamics, with head coach Gautam Gambhir seemingly unhappy with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's performance. The second Test at Edgbaston is set to begin on July 2nd, 2025.
Jaiswal's Fielding Woes and Gambhir's Reaction
Despite scoring a century in the first innings of the Headingley Test, Jaiswal had a poor showing in the field, dropping multiple catches. Specifically, he dropped four crucial catches, which proved costly. Some reports even stated he dropped five catches. These errors have apparently led to an animated discussion between Gambhir and Jaiswal during a training session at Edgbaston. According to RevSportz, Gambhir "does not look very happy after that". One YouTube video even claimed Jaiswal was "shamelessly" dancing with the England crowd after dropping catches, further angering Gambhir.
Changes in Fielding Positions?
The fallout from Jaiswal's fielding performance may result in changes to India's fielding setup for the second Test. According to reports, Jaiswal has been removed from the slip cordon. During training, Sai Sudharsan and Nitish Kumar Reddy were observed practicing in the gully position, while Karun Nair was seen at first slip, and Shubman Gill retained his position at third slip. It is anticipated that Jaiswal will now field in positions such as leg slip or close-in fielding positions like forward short-leg or silly point. India's assistant coach, Ryan Ten Doeschate, alluded to Jaiswal's potential removal from the slip-catching position, stating that the team wants to give Jaiswal a break from catching in the gully to help him regain his confidence.
Jaiswal's Batting Prowess
Despite his recent fielding struggles, Jaiswal is considered a key player for India. In the first innings of the Leeds Test, he scored a fluent 101 off 159 balls, including 16 fours and a six. This performance contributed to India's highest-ever first-day total in a Test match on English soil. Jaiswal has also surpassed Don Bradman for the highest Test average against England, with a current average of 90.33.
Approaching a Milestone
Jaiswal is also on the verge of breaking a significant record. He is just 97 runs away from becoming the fastest Indian to reach 2,000 Test runs. The current record is jointly held by Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, who reached the milestone in 40 innings. Jaiswal has played 38 innings and needs 97 more runs in the Edgbaston Test to take the record.
Gambhir's Coaching Style
Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2024. He is known for his "no-nonsense, results-driven approach". Gambhir emphasizes discipline, mental strength, and strategic aggression. His coaching staff includes Morne Morkel as the bowling coach and Sitanshu Kotak as the batting coach. Gambhir's tenure began with high expectations, especially with major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the World Test Championship 2025 Final.
