Credit: X
Following the five-wicket defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, Team India are facing criticism for their poor fielding show. Defending 371 runs, India’s lackluster bowling cost them while in the fielding front, things got worse as the visitors dropped dollies which affected India’s victory chances in the match. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who smashed a scintillating ton in the first innings, dropped four catches in the game. Shardul Thakur also looked sloppy while fielding. Eventually, India’s blunder cost them as the hosts chased down the massive total and took a 1-0 lead.
Noting action in the opening Test, former wicket-keeper batter Kiran More praised India's performance in the first four days of the contest but said it was fielding that led to the side's loss. Speaking To IANS, he said, “We played very well for four days. I think the mistake came on the last day when England played outstanding cricket. Fielding was where we slipped. Those were simple catches — no one drops those — and that made the difference.”
Ravichandran Ashwin comes to Jaiswal’s defense
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Team India supporters to be lenient with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was sub-par as a fielder at Headingley. Ashwin believes Dukes ball is heavier which makes it difficult to grab it. The spin wizard also said it’s easier to catch SG and Kookaburra balls as compared to the Dukes ones.
“There has been some talk about his catching at slip cordon. Yes, he has found it tough. But let's all just understand something - and cut [him] some slack - which we often fail to do is how difficult it is to catch, not just in English conditions. It's cold weather and it's also about the feel of the Duke's ball. It can take some adaptation time. The SG ball feels nice and comfortable inside the hand, the Kookaburra feels smaller. The Duke's is harder and definitely, from a field perspective, feels bigger and it's not easy," remarked Ashwin in a clip dropped on X.
