ENG vs IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal axed from slip cordon training after Leeds nightmare

India Today

11 hours ago

Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped Ben Duckett on 97 in Headingley Test. (Reuters photo) Jaiswal was not part of India's main slip cordon practice
India focused on close-in catching ahead of Edgbaston Test
Karun, Rahul, Gill formed new slip trio in training
As India prepare for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, their training sessions have placed special emphasis on fielding â€' especially slip catching â€' following the fielding debacle in Leeds. The most notable change during Monday's practice was the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the slip cordon.
Jaiswal, typically a key figure in India's slip setup, had a nightmare outing in Headingley, dropping four catches, including one when Ben Duckett was on 97. Duckett went on to score 149 in what turned out to be a match-defining innings. With fielding under the scanner, the team appears to be recalibrating roles.
In Monday's session, fielding coach T Dilip oversaw slip drills that featured Karun Nair at first slip, KL Rahul at second, and Shubman Gill at third. Jaiswal was shifted to leg slip â€' a less central position than usual â€' while Dhruv Jurel was placed at short leg.
To simulate real-match pressure, the team created a blind spot using a black cloth, from behind which T Dilip flung catches to the slip fielders â€' testing their reflexes and reactions in unpredictable scenarios.
India's bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, were also involved in high-catching drills. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate oversaw the broader fielding preparations, while bowling coach Morne Morkel supervised another batch focused on catching practice.
India's overall fielding in the Headingley Test was far below par. The slip cordon dropped multiple chances, outfielders misjudged easy balls, and even Rishabh Pant looked off-colour behind the stumps. The team is clearly attempting to address those flaws before the second Test begins on July 2.
It remains to be seen whether Jaiswal will return to the slip cordon during the match. But given the importance of seizing every half-chance in English conditions, the message from the Indian camp is loud and clear â€' fielding could well decide the course of this series. With the series hanging in the balance and England leading 1-0, India know there's little room left for error.
As India prepare for the second Test against England at Edgbaston, their training sessions have placed special emphasis on fielding â€' especially slip catching â€' following the fielding debacle in Leeds. The most notable change during Monday's practice was the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the slip cordon.
Jaiswal, typically a key figure in India's slip setup, had a nightmare outing in Headingley, dropping four catches, including one when Ben Duckett was on 97. Duckett went on to score 149 in what turned out to be a match-defining innings. With fielding under the scanner, the team appears to be recalibrating roles.
In Monday's session, fielding coach T Dilip oversaw slip drills that featured Karun Nair at first slip, KL Rahul at second, and Shubman Gill at third. Jaiswal was shifted to leg slip â€' a less central position than usual â€' while Dhruv Jurel was placed at short leg.
To simulate real-match pressure, the team created a blind spot using a black cloth, from behind which T Dilip flung catches to the slip fielders â€' testing their reflexes and reactions in unpredictable scenarios.
India's bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, were also involved in high-catching drills. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate oversaw the broader fielding preparations, while bowling coach Morne Morkel supervised another batch focused on catching practice.
India's overall fielding in the Headingley Test was far below par. The slip cordon dropped multiple chances, outfielders misjudged easy balls, and even Rishabh Pant looked off-colour behind the stumps. The team is clearly attempting to address those flaws before the second Test begins on July 2.
It remains to be seen whether Jaiswal will return to the slip cordon during the match. But given the importance of seizing every half-chance in English conditions, the message from the Indian camp is loud and clear â€' fielding could well decide the course of this series. With the series hanging in the balance and England leading 1-0, India know there's little room left for error. Join our WhatsApp Channel