‘What can it do your confidence?’ – R Ashwin slams India’s decision to shift Yashasvi Jaiswal out of slip cordon

Former Indian cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin, came out in defence of Yashasvi Jaiswal and felt the latter should not have been expelled from the slip cordon. Notably, the youngster had a hard time in the field during the first Test against England at Headingley, as he dropped four chances in the game.

Ashwin also felt the senior members of the side could have displayed a better sense of leadership and stuck with Jaiswal in the slips to preserve his self-confidence. 

“We are not sure if he asked for it, but Jaiswal was removed from the slip cordon. He was shunned. Of course, he has picked a lot of catches in the slips, and if a drop sends you out, what can it do to your confidence? I believe leadership comes into play when you can take responsibility for someone who feels deflated,” shared Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin sympathised with Jaiswal while admitting that even he had undergone similar experiences during his cricketing career.

“Say you are the captain, and a fielder drops a catch. You know he always puts in the effort and practices, and if he still drops a catch, it means that it was not his day. One should not deflate his confidence. I can ask him, ‘is everything okay?’ and all, but what many do is, right in the middle, they shift their fielding position. It deflates the confidence of a player completely. I have gone through the same,” added Ashwin.

The fourth opportunity shelled by Jaiswal was that of Ben Duckett at deep backward square-leg when he was three short of his ton during England’s pursuit of 371. Duckett ended up registering 149 before getting dismissed, eventually securing the Player of the Match accolade for his knocks in both innings. He was given two lives (on 11 and 15) in the first innings as well, as he went onto score 62.

India will take England on in the second Test of the series at Edgbaston from July 2. The Shubman Gill-led unit would want to ensure that there are no lapses on the field as they aim on drawing level.