Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Yashasvi Jaiswal Amid Fielding Criticism

Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defense of young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal, who faced criticism for his fielding during the Headingley Test against England. Ashwin emphasized the unique challenges of the Duke ball, which requires time to adapt to, especially in cold weather. Jaiswal had a strong batting performance, scoring a century in the first innings, but struggled in the second. Ashwin's insights shed light on the difficulties players face with different types of cricket balls, advocating for patience and understanding from fans.
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Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Yashasvi Jaiswal Amid Fielding Criticism

Ashwin's Support for Jaiswal

In a recent video shared on his X account, Ravichandran Ashwin came to the defense of young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal, emphasizing a crucial point that many critics overlook: the Duke ball is not just an ordinary red ball. Although the Indian team is currently ahead in the Headingley Test, the match has not unfolded as expected, particularly regarding the slip fielding. Jaiswal, who has been performing exceptionally with the bat, faced criticism after dropping three catches, all off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling, which sparked backlash from fans online. However, Ashwin is not in agreement with this criticism.


Ashwin's Insights on the Duke Ball

Ashwin remarked, "There has been some discussion about his catching at slip. Yes, he has struggled, but we need to understand the conditions—it's cold, and adapting to the Duke's ball takes time." He elaborated on the differences between various cricket balls, stating, "The SG ball feels comfortable, while the Kookaburra seems smaller. The Duke's ball is harder and feels larger from a fielding perspective, making it challenging to handle."


He further praised Jaiswal, saying, "He has shown significant improvement as a slip fielder, having taken some remarkable catches recently. We should allow him some time to adjust."


Jaiswal's Performance in the Test Match

Yashasvi Jaiswal had a mixed performance during the first Test against England at Headingley. On the first day, he contributed to a solid opening partnership of 91 runs with KL Rahul and later scored a hard-fought century before being dismissed by Ben Stokes in the final session. His resilient batting provided India with crucial momentum in the first innings. However, he struggled in the second innings, scoring only four runs. Despite his failure in the second innings, his century in the first innings was pivotal for India's strong start in the match.


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