[WATCH] ENG vs IND 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal dances after dropping 4 catches, gets trolled online

India’s new era in Test cricket under captain Shubman Gill began on a disastrous note, as the visitors suffered a five-wicket defeat against England in the opening match of the five-Test series at Headingley, Leeds. Despite five centuries being recorded across both innings by the Indian batters, their efforts fell short as England successfully chased down a daunting 371-run target. Fielding proved to be India’s Achilles heel, with six dropped catches in the first innings and an even more costly show in the second—particularly by Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Jaiswal had a torrid time in the slip cordon, dropping four catches in the second innings alone—the most ever by a player in a single Test innings. One of those misses was Ben Duckett, who was on 97 at the time. Duckett went on to score 149, guiding England comfortably home. The young batter’s poor outing was made worse by a video that went viral on social media, showing him dancing and smiling near the boundary at long-on shortly after dropping Duckett’s crucial catch. Fans were quick to slam his attitude, viewing it as a lack of seriousness in a high-pressure situation.

The backlash was swift and intense, with social media users questioning Jaiswal's focus and dedication, with even the short clip of him engaging with the English crowd seconds after an expensive blunder feeding the fire of India being criticized for lack of sharpness on the field. 

See Also: ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 5: Major highlights and key performances

However, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in to defend the youngster, urging critics to understand the challenges of fielding in England. “There has been some talk about his catching at a 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: 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,” Ashwin explained in a video shared on X.

His comments drew a mixed response, with some fans appreciating the perspective, while others remained critical of Jaiswal’s costly lapses in a match that could’ve had a different outcome with better fielding.