Team India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is heading into the two-Test series against Sri Lanka with a growing concern over his recent form. The young batter was dismissed for a duck in the practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, once again falling victim to a left-arm fast bowler.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI declared their first innings at 363 for 8 before India began its reply. Jaiswal opened alongside KL Rahul, but his stay at the crease lasted just two deliveries. Left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando bowled a delivery outside the off stump, and Jaiswal went after it without moving his feet sufficiently. The resulting edge went straight towards the gully, bringing his innings to an early end.
Left-Arm Pace Continues to Be a Problem
Jaiswal’s struggles against left-arm fast bowlers have become increasingly noticeable in Test cricket. The Indian opener has now been dismissed by left-arm pacers nine times in the format, highlighting a weakness that opposition teams can potentially target.
Marco Jansen has troubled him repeatedly, dismissing Jaiswal three times in the last four innings of India’s previous World Test Championship series against South Africa. India ultimately lost that series 0-2.
Jaiswal has also been dismissed three times each by Australia’s Mitchell Starc and South Africa’s Nandre Burger. His latest dismissal against Vishwa Fernando has once again brought the issue into focus just days before India begins its Test campaign in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s team management will undoubtedly be aware of this pattern. With left-arm pace already proving to be an uncomfortable matchup for Jaiswal, the Sri Lankan bowlers could look to test him in a similar fashion during the Test series.
Recent Form Adds to India’s Concern
Jaiswal’s latest numbers in red-ball cricket do not make particularly encouraging reading. He has managed only one half-century in his last five Test innings, while his latest duck means he has now been dismissed without scoring twice in his last six red-ball innings, including the practice game.
His recent six innings read:
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0 runs off 4 balls – South Africa
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12 runs off 27 balls – South Africa
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13 runs off 20 balls – South Africa
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58 runs off 97 balls – South Africa
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24 runs off 32 balls – Afghanistan
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0 runs off 2 balls – Sri Lanka Cricket XI
The numbers show that Jaiswal has struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, while his vulnerability against left-arm pace has become a recurring theme.
Sri Lanka Could Target the Weakness
Jaiswal remains one of India’s most talented young Test batters, and one poor practice-match innings does not define his ability. However, the repeated dismissals against left-arm pace could give Sri Lanka a clear tactical plan for the upcoming series.
The Indian opener will now have to find a way to counter that challenge. If Sri Lanka’s left-arm pacers can consistently attack the area outside his off stump, Jaiswal could face another difficult examination.
With the first Test approaching, all eyes will be on whether India’s young opener can overcome his biggest weakness and rediscover the form that made him one of the most exciting batters in Test cricket.