Varun Aaron says drop catches would have been on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s mind ahead of 2nd Test

Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron believes Yashasvi Jaiswal would have entered the second Test under pressure after dropping four catches in the series opener against England at Leeds, Headingley. Jaiswal’s drops were costly as India had to pay the price and if he had taken his chances, India would have had 166 more runs to play.

Jaiswal scored a fine knock of 101 runs in the first innings of the opening Test but was dismissed cheaply for four runs in the second dig. Despite being put under the pump, Jaiswal bounced back strongly in the second Test, scoring a crucial knock of 87 runs in the first innings on Wednesday.

Aaron has shared the same dressing room with Jaiswal while playing with the opener for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and has observed him from close quarters.

Aaron said on ESPN Cricinfo, “He loves big games, big pressure, and big opponents. He’s somebody who shines when the spotlight is on him. Coming back from those four drops and not the biggest score in the previous innings, that could have been on his mind, but knowing him closely, playing with him for the Rajasthan Royals, he is somebody who uses that as fuel.”

The former lanky pacer feels Jaiswal would have been disappointed after he was caught behind by Jamie Smith on a ball, which was wide and short.

Aaron added, “The way he got out today, he’s not going to be happy with that. That was a nothing ball. You would back him to hit that for four any day of the week.”

On the other hand, India’s solid batter Cheteshwar Pujara said the bowlers need to keep targeting Jaiswal around the off-stump.

Pujara said, “You’ve got to bowl the right length; around off-stump, on a good length. Keep doing that and wait for him to make a mistake.”

India ended the opening day’s play at 310-5.