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Yashasvi Jaiswal’s debut Test on English soil at Headingley was a tale of two extremes. The young opener dazzled with a brilliant century, only to see his fortunes shift dramatically as he dropped four crucial catches, equaling an unwanted Indian Test record. As India stumbled to a historic defeat, Jaiswal’s on-field dance before the English crowd added fuel to an already simmering fan backlash.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fielding nightmare in the Headingley Test
Jaiswal’s Test debut in England began with a promising and composed 101 off 159 balls that set the tone for India’s first innings. However, the narrative swiftly changed in the field. Over the course of five days, India’s fielders collectively dropped eight catches, but it was Jaiswal’s four spills that stood out, drawing sharp criticism from teammates, coaches, and fans alike.
Three of Jaiswal’s drops came in the first innings, including key chances off England’s Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. On Day 5, with England chasing a daunting 371, Jaiswal missed a running catch at square leg, giving Ben Duckett, a lifeline that he converted into a match-defining century. These errors not only frustrated bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj but also allowed England to erase their first-innings deficit and ultimately chase down the target with five wickets to spare.
Jaiswal’s four dropped catches now stand as the joint-most by an Indian fielder in a single Test, a statistic he’ll be eager to forget.
Also READ: Indian batters who scored a Test century at Headingley ft. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill
Jaiswal dances in front of the English fans on Day 5
As India’s hopes faded on Day 5, Jaiswal’s decision to dance in front of the English crowd became a flashpoint. With the team hurtling towards defeat, the young opener’s celebratory jig—captured and widely shared on social media—was seen by many as ill-timed and insensitive. The reaction was swift and unforgiving, with supporters venting their frustration online and questioning his attitude during a critical juncture for the team.
The incident overshadowed what could have been remembered as a breakout batting performance. Instead, Jaiswal’s match became a cautionary tale about the fine margins and emotional swings of Test cricket—where a single player can go from hero to scapegoat in the space of a few sessions.
Here’s the video:
Fair play to Jaiswal – took it like a champ 👏😂#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/GE8IDclV1u
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) June 24, 2025
India, despite five centuries in the match—a first in Test history for a losing side—now trail 0-1 in the five-match series and have a week to regroup before the next Test at Edgbaston. Jaiswal’s Headingley Test will be remembered not just for his sublime hundred, but for the costly lapses and a controversial celebration that turned the spotlight firmly in his direction.
Also READ: Fans slam Gautam Gambhir after India’s humiliating loss against England in the Headingley Test
