Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Yashasvi Jaiswal Amid Catching Controversy
Yashasvi Jaiswal Faces Criticism for Dropped Catches
Following an impressive century in the first innings at Headingley, 23-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal found himself at the center of criticism after failing to secure catches at slip. Although the entire team struggled with fielding, recording six dropped catches in total, Jaiswal notably missed three opportunities to catch Harry Brook, who went on to score 99 runs. In light of the backlash, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered insights into the challenges Jaiswal faced.
Ashwin explained that the behavior of each cricket ball varies significantly. He highlighted three main types of balls used in cricket: the SG ball, the Kookaburra, and the Duke's ball. In England, the Duke's ball is utilized, which Ashwin described as larger and harder compared to the others. He also pointed out that the cold and overcast conditions contribute to the difficulty of catching.
"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."
He further remarked,
"He’s been one of the most improved slip fielders that India has had. He has taken some fantastic catches in the recent past, especially in Test cricket, so we should give him some time."
In addition to discussing Jaiswal, Ashwin commended Rishabh Pant for his remarkable performance, scoring two centuries in the Test match. However, he also acknowledged that Pant's aggressive style has faced scrutiny. He referenced some of Pant's shot selections, such as a slog sweep against Brydon Carse, labeling them as questionable. Nevertheless, Ashwin emphasized that Pant's performance should be evaluated based on results rather than his approach.