Following a disappointing day in the field during the first Test against England at Headingley, where India dropped multiple catches, Jasprit Bumrah has come out in support of his teammates, particularly young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was involved in a couple of the missed opportunities. Bumrah emphasized that the players are new and working extremely hard, and he doesn't want to add any additional pressure on them.

India's fielding performance on Day 3 of the Test was below par, with fielders dropping as many as six catches. These errors proved costly, allowing England to regain momentum and reduce the deficit on India's first-innings total. Among the missed chances, Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped Ben Duckett in the gully and later spilled another catch at third slip offered by Ollie Pope, who was batting on 60 at the time. Ravindra Jadeja, known for his exceptional fielding, also missed a low chance at backward point.

Bumrah acknowledged his disappointment when catches are dropped but stressed that it's part and parcel of the game. He said, "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."

The dropped catches off Bumrah's bowling gave the England batsmen second chances, which they capitalized on to put up decent scores. Despite the missed opportunities, Bumrah doesn't want to put additional pressure on his teammates, adding that such moments are part and parcel of the game.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's fielding performance has come under scrutiny, especially after he dropped three catches in one innings during the fourth Test against Australia in December 2024. On that occasion, he dropped Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Pat Cummins, leading to visible frustration from captain Rohit Sharma. However, it's important to note that Jaiswal is generally considered a safe fielder and catcher.

Following the costly drop on Day 2 of the Headingley Test, Jaiswal was seen taking part in an isolated slip-catching drill, demonstrating his determination to improve and not let the mistake affect his confidence.

Bumrah's supportive comments highlight the importance of maintaining a positive team environment, especially when young players are still finding their feet. Rather than dwelling on the errors, Bumrah focuses on the effort his teammates are putting in and trusts that they will learn from the experience. He said that nobody is dropping catches purposely, and sometimes the cold makes it difficult to catch. He tries not to let it affect him and move forward quickly.

Despite the fielding lapses, Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling performance, including his 14th five-wicket haul in his 46th Test, kept India in the game. Bumrah is now in the company of cricketing legends such as Imran Khan, Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham, Dale Steyn, Dennis Lillee, and Waqar Younis.