Yashasvi Jaiswal's Dropped Catches Under Scrutiny: Ex-India Star Suggests Hand Strap May Be to Blame

Yashasvi Jaiswal's performance in the field during the recent Test match between India and England has come under scrutiny after he dropped several crucial catches. Former Indian cricketer Mohammed Kaif has weighed in on the possible reasons behind Jaiswal's struggles in the slips.

Yashasvi Jaiswal misses a catch during the Test match.

Jaiswal dropped four significant catches in the Leeds Test, contributing to India's five-wicket loss as England successfully chased down a target of 371 runs on the final day.

One notable instance occurred in the first innings when Ollie Pope edged a Jasprit Bumrah delivery. Jaiswal, positioned in the slip cordon, failed to secure the catch, and Pope went on to score a century. He also handed a lifeline to Harry Brook. And in England’s second innings, Jaiswal sprinted in from the deep, covered good ground, and got both hands to the ball from Duckett, but failed to complete the catch. Duckett—who benefited from the dropped chance—went on to score a match-winning 149.

Kaif believes that the hand strap Jaiswal was wearing might have played a role in the dropped catches.

"Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? We are practicing with Duke’s ball, and when we get hurt, we put a strap," Kaif explained in a video posted on X.

"In such a situation, the fingers are stuck and there is no free movement. You can’t hold onto the catch because the strap becomes a sponge."

Kaif further elaborated, "The ball bounces off it, so that’s the drawback. The natural connection with the ball shouldn’t be lost."

The second Test between India and England will commence on July 2 in Birmingham.