‘Player might as well wear gloves’ – Gavaskar slams Jaiswal for dropped catches

Sunil Gavaskar and Yashasvi Jaiswal. (Photo source: X)

Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed concern after youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped four catches during the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, where India suffered a five-wicket defeat to England in a match that went into the final session of Day 5.

Gavaskar pointed out a technical issue related to fielding gear, stating that the webbing allowed on a fielder’s fingers and hands should not extend beyond the point of intersection between the fingers and the palm. He suggested that excessive webbing might affect flexibility and contribute to missed chances.

Jaiswal had a particularly tough time in the field, dropping three catches in the first innings, including a crucial one at third slip that could have dismissed Harry Brook. In the second innings, he put down another chance despite a diving effort to catch Ben Duckett.

“Players should not be allowed to wear webbing past that point. Otherwise, you might as well wear gloves. I just think that, just like how when a batter comes out to bat, they check the size of the bat, or when boxers are going in they check their gloves, umpires should do the same for this. They should say, ‘Hello! Sorry, you cannot have it over there,” Gavaskar said after the match.

“It has been happening for the last three to five years. In every team, there are at least one or two fielders who have got this,” he added.

Jaiswal scored memorable century in first innings

This was the left-handed opener’s first match on English soil, and he marked the occasion with his maiden Test century. He displayed discipline and control and scored 101 runs off 157 balls while confidently driving the England bowlers throughout his innings. His performance played a key role in guiding India to a commanding position of 359 for 3 in 85 overs at the end of Day 1 of the opening Test.

“We did a lot of preparation before coming here. It was a lot of fun to play, and it felt very good to bat. I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot,” Jaiswal said to Star Sports.

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