• India's campaign in the five-match Test series against England got off to a nightmarish start at Headingley.

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal has come under intense criticism for a string of costly errors in the field.

ENG vs IND: Fans flood social media with memes as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s costly misfield derails India’s hopes at Headingley
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Image Source: X)

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India‘s campaign in the five-match Test series against England got off to a nightmarish start at Headingley, where the hosts pulled off their second-highest successful chase in Test history.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s sloppy slips show under fire despite century

Despite scoring a stylish first-innings century, Yashasvi Jaiswal has come under intense criticism for a string of costly errors in the field. The young opener dropped at least six catches across both innings, many of them offering reprieves to England’s top and middle order at critical junctures. His mistakes allowed England to repeatedly escape pressure, with Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook among the beneficiaries.

What made matters worse was the contrast between Jaiswal’s batting and fielding contributions. While his 101 in the first innings showcased his class with the bat, his lapses in the field painted a frustrating picture for Indian fans, many of whom took to social media to express their discontent. One of the biggest turning points was his spill of Ben Duckett early in the second innings, which proved pivotal as Duckett went on to score 149 and lead the charge.

India suffers 5-wicket defeat in Headingley against England

Chasing a daunting 371 for victory, England completed the task with five wickets in hand and a day to spare, a remarkable feat that has now put India under the scanner for their poor fielding and inconsistent bowling under pressure. Duckett emerged as the architect of the chase, smashing a sublime 149 off just 166 balls. He was ably supported by Zak Crawley, who laid the foundation with a brisk 65. While India did spark a brief revival by dismissing four middle-order batters in a quick burst, the calm partnership between Joe Root (53 not out) and debutant Jamie Smith (44 not out) ensured England coasted to a famous win, stitching together an unbeaten 71-run stand under pressure.

India’s bowling, though spearheaded by the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah, failed to capitalise on opportunities, especially in the fourth innings. Bumrah picked up eight wickets in the match, but lack of support from the field and ineffective spells from the rest of the bowling unit in crucial phases allowed England to regain control. The team’s poor slip cordon, with Jaiswal as the most culpable, has raised questions about India’s fielding setup in Test cricket. In high-stakes overseas Tests, such fielding lapses often tilt matches, and Headingley was no exception. India dropped as many as eight clear-cut chances throughout the match, many of which could have turned the tide had they been taken.

Also READ: Fans slam Gautam Gambhir after India’s humiliating loss against England in the Headingley Test

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also WATCH: ENG vs IND: Ravindra Jadeja’s playful fist gesture with umpire wins hearts on Day 5 of Headingley Test

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