In a match that has seen swings in momentum and moments of brilliance, one subplot has stood out for all the wrong reasons—Yashasvi Jaiswal’s costly day in the field. The young Indian opener, widely known for his batting flair and fearless approach, endured a nightmarish outing at Headingley by dropping four catches in England’s fourth-innings chase. As the Test heads into a thrilling climax, those missed opportunities could well come back to haunt India.
Fielding has long been an integral part of India’s resurgence in Test cricket, especially in away conditions. The slip cordon, close-in fielders, and deep catching positions have all become crucial components of their game plan. But on this occasion, Jaiswal, usually stationed in high-pressure areas, appeared tentative and out of rhythm. All four drops weren’t straightforward, but at the highest level, they were expected to be taken.
The first drop came early in England’s chase when Zak Crawley edged a rising delivery from Mohammed Siraj. Jaiswal, positioned at second slip, went with both hands but grassed it despite having enough time to react. It was the sort of chance that sets the tone for the fielding side, and the miss allowed Crawley to settle and eventually put up a sizeable score.
The second was a tougher opportunity — a mistimed pull shot from Ben Duckett ballooned towards deep square leg. Jaiswal, running in from the boundary, misjudged the flight slightly and ended up diving late, only to spill the ball just inches from the turf. That drop proved especially painful as Duckett went on to score a match-defining 149.
His third came later, again off Duckett, this time in the slips. A thick edge flew towards him at a comfortable height, but Jaiswal’s hands weren’t in position, and the ball slipped right through. The fourth, and perhaps the most agonizing of them all, came during a frantic period when India was looking to claw back into the game. Joe Root edged a turning ball from Ravindra Jadeja, and Jaiswal, at short cover, couldn’t latch on despite getting both hands to it.
In tight Test matches, catches are currency. One or two missed chances are part of the game, but four from a single fielder in a single innings is an anomaly, particularly at this level. The frustration was visible on the faces of Indian bowlers, particularly Bumrah and Jadeja, whose efforts were repeatedly undone.
To his credit, Jaiswal didn’t hide after the drops. He continued to field in key positions and encouraged his teammates. But there’s no doubt these misses have added pressure on India in a match where every run and every moment matters.
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