Star Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has stepped up to defend his teammates, who have faced a barrage of criticism from fans and experts alike for their subpar fielding in England’s first innings. Over Saturday and Sunday, Indian players fumbled at least half a dozen catches, handing England’s batters crucial lifelines, which were, predictably, capitalized upon.
When quizzed about India’s fielding struggles during the ongoing first Test at Headingley, Bumrah, in the post-day conference, was quick to assert that no player was intentionally dropping catches.
“I am disappointed for a second when catches are dropped. It’s part and parcel of the game, and the guys are new and working so hard. I don’t want to create a scene and put more pressure on them. Nobody is doing it intentionally. So they will learn from this experience,” Bumrah stated.
Indeed, the struggles were evident, with Yashasvi Jaiswal notably dropping at least three catches in the first innings alone, while Ravindra Jadeja also let a seemingly simple chance slip, granting Ben Duckett a reprieve.
Bumrah’s calm and supportive stance offers a crucial perspective amidst the heated debate surrounding the team’s fielding performance.
