Gautam Gambhir punishes Yashasvi Jaiswal, takes ruthless call after his fielding errors in 1st Test

In a bold move, India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has taken a tough stand against Yashasvi Jaiswal following his series of fielding errors during the first Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at Headingley.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is facing heavy criticism after a poor fielding performance in the first Test against England at Headingley. The Indian opener dropped four catches—two were simple ones in the slips, and two were more difficult chances during the team’s five-wicket defeat against England.

Fielding Errors at Headingley cost Yashasvi Jaiswal dearly

Following his continuous struggles, fans and experts have raised concerns over Jaiswal’s fielding efforts, and many believe these missed opportunities played a big role in India’s crushing loss to the hosts at Headingley in the five-match Test series.

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Many were also frustrated with the Indian captain Shubman Gill’s decision not to remove Jaiswal from the slip cordon. However, it seems that the Indian head coach Gambhir has punished the young opener for his series of blunders at Headingley ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston.

Gautam Gambhir punishes Yashasvi Jaiswal for slip blunders, promotes Sai Sudharsan to the cordons

Actually, viral pictures suggested that Yashasvi Jaiswal has been removed from slip duties ahead of the second Test against England, hinting at the changes in India’s fielding setup for the crucial second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston, starting on July 2.

Interestingly, Sai Sudharsan was seen training with the main slip cordon, which suggests that he will replace the young Indian opener in the crucial catching positions at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, Jaiswal was spotted working on silly point and short leg drills, which made it clear that Gambhir demoted the youngster from the slips after his poor efforts since the Australia tour.

At the start of practice at Edgbaston, Jaiswal was nowhere near the slips or gully, showing how Gambhir was punishing him for his lapses in concentration at Headingley.

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Looks like Sai Sudharsan will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal in the slips. YBJ doing silly point/short leg drills while Sai trains with rest of the slip fielders. pic.twitter.com/kYfvDMDYX7

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) June 30, 2025

No Jaiswal in slips or gully at the start pic.twitter.com/EKqqECCMv4

— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) June 30, 2025

Greg Chappell defends Yashasvi Jaiswal, says he has no technical flaws

However, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes that Jaiswal’s four dropped catches against England weren’t due to any technical flaws. The Australian legend felt Jaiswal had a sound catching technique and simply had an off day on the field at Headingley.

Chappell also suggested that a possible hand injury might have affected Jaiswal’s performance in the first Test. After missing the first couple of chances, his confidence dropped, which may have led to the additional mistakes, and the former coach feels such things happen with even the best.

Greg Chappell wrote for ESPNcricinfo: “India dropped several catches in Leeds, and while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja were among those involved, both are usually safe hands. The drops I saw didn’t look technical—they just didn’t stick. It can happen to the best.

That said, Jaiswal gives the impression of being low on confidence or that he is suffering a hand injury. He seems to be hoping to catch them rather than expecting to. One of his missed chances came with him running in from the boundary—a low, skimming catch. For my money, that’s one of the hardest in cricket.”

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