Jaiswal's Fielding Woes: Dropped Catches Cost India as Former Cricketer Points to Hand Strap Issue

Monday - 04/08/2025 18:06

Mohammed Kaif suggests that Yashasvi Jaiswal's dropped catches in the recent Test against England may be due to the straps he wears on his hands. Kaif explains that these straps restrict finger movement, preventing a secure grip on the ball.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Dropped Catches: Is a Hand Strap to Blame?

Yashasvi Jaiswal misses a catch during the Test match

Yashasvi Jaiswal's fielding performance has come under scrutiny after a series of dropped catches in the recent Test match against England. Former Indian cricketer, Mohammed Kaif, has weighed in on the possible reasons behind the young player's struggles in the field.

Costly Errors in the Field

During the Test match in Leeds, Jaiswal dropped four crucial catches, contributing to India's five-wicket defeat. England successfully chased down a target of 371 runs on the final day, and these missed opportunities proved costly for the Indian side.

In the first innings, Ollie Pope edged a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah. Jaiswal, positioned in the slips, failed to secure the catch, and Pope went on to score a valuable 106 runs.

Later in the same innings, Jaiswal dropped another catch, giving Harry Brook a lifeline. Brook edged a ball from Bumrah towards fourth slip, but Jaiswal couldn't hold on to the chance.

In England's second innings, Mohammed Siraj bowled a bouncer, and Jaiswal, sprinting in from deep, got his hands to the ball but couldn't complete the catch. Duckett, who benefited from the dropped chance, went on to score a match-winning 149.

Kaif's Explanation: The Hand Strap Factor

Mohammed Kaif, known for his exceptional fielding skills during his playing days, believes that the strap around Jaiswal's hand might be a contributing factor to 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. "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.