India vs England: Mohammad Kaif reacts to dropped catches in the 1st Test

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, widely recognized for revolutionizing fielding standards in Indian cricket during his playing days, offered his insights into Yashasvi Jaiswal's fielding struggles in the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, Leeds. Kaif pointed out that the young opener, despite being agile and athletic, dropped a couple of crucial catches at slip during the match — a costly setback for India in a tightly contested game. While discussing the possible reasons behind the lapses, Kaif suggested that the strap Jaiswal has been wearing around his wrists or hands might be interfering with his grip and reflexes while attempting catches.

Why Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped catches in the India vs England 1st Test?

According to Mohammad Kaif, such accessories can affect finger flexibility or create a slight delay in hand-eye coordination, both of which are critical for success in the slip cordon. Kaif stressed that fielding at slip is a highly specialized skill, and even a minor hindrance — such as an accessory or gear adjustment — can lead to dropped opportunities. He urged the Indian team management to take note of this detail and ensure that players fielding in key positions are not restricted by equipment that could affect performance. Kaif’s comments reflect the growing importance of fine-tuning every detail in modern Test cricket.

“Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? We are practicing with Duke’s ball, and when we get hurt, we put a strap. 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. The ball bounces off it, so that’s the drawback. The natural connection with the ball shouldn’t be lost,” said former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif. 

Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? The reason could be the band on his palm. Listen. pic.twitter.com/FP1O8xFwQj

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 25, 2025

In the first innings of the Headingley Test, England's Ollie Pope had a stroke of luck early in his knock when he edged a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah while attempting to steer it through the slip cordon. Positioned in the cordon, Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to hold on to the chance, with the ball striking his wrists and going down. That drop proved costly, as Pope went on to score a vital 106, playing a key role in keeping England in the contest.

The troubles didn’t end there for Jaiswal. Later in the same innings, Harry Brook offered another opportunity when he too looked to guide Bumrah behind square. The right-hander only managed a thick outside edge, which flew towards Jaiswal at fourth slip. It appeared to be a regulation catch, but the Indian opener once again failed to grab it, fluffing what looked like a straightforward chance and giving Brook a crucial reprieve. Both dropped chances allowed England’s middle order to capitalise and build momentum. These misses by Jaiswal, particularly in such a closely contested Test match, became significant turning points. They also raised concerns about his comfort and reliability in the slip cordon, especially against high-quality pace bowling.

In England's second innings during the Headingley Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal was once again in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Mohammed Siraj bowled a well-directed short ball, setting a trap with multiple fielders stationed along the leg-side boundary. The plan nearly worked when Ben Duckett mistimed a pull shot. Jaiswal sprinted in from the deep, covered significant ground, and got both hands to the ball. However, he failed to hold on to the chance, much to the visible frustration of Siraj. The drop proved costly, as Duckett capitalized on the reprieve and went on to score a match-winning 149, anchoring England’s record run chase.

Jaiswal wasn’t the only one guilty of lapses in the field. Key Indian players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, also dropped crucial catches at various stages of the match. These collective fielding errors allowed England’s batters to escape pressure situations and rebuild effectively. With India having posted five individual centuries across both innings, the match was there for the taking. However, the dropped catches shifted the momentum towards the hosts and ultimately contributed significantly to India's five-wicket defeat in the first Test. Fielding proved to be the defining factor in a closely fought contest.