Renowned Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out a significant issue regarding opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal following his latest disappointment in the 5th Test against England at Kennington Oval, London. Jaiswal scored only 2 runs off 9 balls in the first session, getting trapped lbw by Gus Atkinson, who delivered a ball that sharply angled back in towards him.
Gavaskar, while discussing on Sony Sports, highlighted the exact issue, stating that both Jaiswal’s front foot movement and alignment have declined.
“There’s a bit of uncertainty and maybe a lack of confidence creeping into Jaiswal’s game. After scoring a hundred in the first Test, he hasn’t looked very fluent,” Gavaskar said.
He further more added“That’s possibly why he’s not getting his front foot far enough forward to smother this return. But he’s a good player. I think if someone sits with him and works on a few technical aspects—like getting his front foot forward and not opening up his shoulder too much—it could help.”
Gavaskar explained in more detail the issue with the technique: “Right now, his back shoulder is going towards first or second slip, which makes it hard for the bat to come down straight. If his shoulder stayed more towards the wicketkeeper and first slip, the bat would come down straighter.”
Jaiswal has maintained an impressive average of 116 against right-arm seam bowlers operating from around the wicket, with only one dismissal to his name. However, that statistic has plummeted to 24.7 during the current series, resulting in seven dismissals against the same type of bowling.
He started the England series strongly, scoring 101 and 87 in the opening two Tests. Yet, he has struggled since then—only managing one half-century in his last five innings.
In total, he has accumulated 293 runs in nine innings at an average of 32.55, including one century and two fifties.
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