India’s defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley has sparked strong fan reactions, and Yashasvi Jaiswal is at the centre of the storm. Despite scoring a first-innings century, the young batter is facing criticism for a viral video showing him dancing with the crowd soon after dropping Ben Duckett’s catch on Day 5.
India, defending 371, saw their hopes fade as Duckett scored 149 and helped England chase down their second-highest fourth-innings target in Test history. Jaiswal had dropped Duckett earlier in the innings, giving him a crucial lifeline. When a video surfaced showing the youngster smiling and dancing in front of English fans after the drop, many on social media slammed the act as poor timing.
India’s Fielding Lapses Prove Costly at Headingley
While Jaiswal’s 103 in the first innings was praised, his performance in the field left much to be desired. He dropped as many as four catches, including three off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in the first innings and another key chance off Duckett in the second innings. That missed opportunity allowed Duckett to settle and lead England’s dominant start.
India’s bowlers struggled on Day 5. Duckett and Zak Crawley put up an opening stand of 188 runs. Bumrah, despite his five-wicket haul in the first innings, couldn’t break through early. Although Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur picked up quick wickets later in the day, England had already built a strong platform. Joe Root and Jamie Smith sealed the win with an unbeaten 71-run partnership.
Social Media Reacts Sharply to Jaiswal’s Gesture
The frustration among fans boiled over after India’s defeat, and Jaiswal’s video only added fuel to the fire. Many questioned the team’s body language and intensity, especially during crucial moments of the match. Some fans argued that had a senior player like Rohit Sharma been captain, such lapses in fielding or focus might not have been tolerated.
While Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill will be keen to support the young team, especially in a long series, the backlash indicates how high expectations remain. Fielding, in particular, has become a key concern for India as they prepare for the second Test at Edgbaston starting July 2.
India now trail 0-1 in the five-match series and will need a sharp turnaround in both performance and mindset to stay in contention.
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