Yashasvi Jaiswal's Dropped Catches: Former India Star Blames Hand Strap for Fielding Woes in England Test

Tuesday - 22/07/2025 06:30

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 performance in the field 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 these lapses.

Yashasvi Jaiswal misses a catch during the Test match.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Yashasvi Jaiswal of India drops a catch during Day Five of the 1st Rothesay Test Match between England and India at Headingley on June 24, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Kaif, renowned for his exceptional fielding skills during his playing days, believes that the strap Jaiswal wears around his hand might be a contributing factor.

Costly Misses

Jaiswal's dropped catches in Leeds proved to be detrimental, as India suffered a five-wicket defeat, with England successfully chasing down a target of 371.

In the first innings, he failed to grab a thick edge from Ollie Pope, who then went on to score 106.
He also gave Harry Brook a lifeline, dropping a straightforward catch at fourth slip.
Furthermore, he couldn't hold on to a catch off a bouncer from Mohammed Siraj, allowing Duckett to score a match-winning 149.

India Outplayed at Headingley | England Go 1-0 Up in the Series | IND vs ENG 1st Test

The Strap's Impact

Kaif explained his theory in a video posted on social media platform X. He suggested that the strap, commonly used by players when practicing with the Duke's ball to protect against injury, could hinder a player's ability to catch effectively.

"Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping catches? We are practicing with Duke’s ball, and when we get hurt, we put a strap," Kaif stated.

He elaborated that the strap restricts finger movement and acts like a sponge, causing the ball to bounce off it. "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," he said. "The ball bounces off it, so that’s the drawback. The natural connection with the ball shouldn’t be lost."

India will aim to bounce back in the second Test against England, scheduled to begin on July 2 in Birmingham.