India A opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is struggling to find his rhythm on the ongoing tour of New Zealand. The young batter was dismissed for a duck in the second four-day match against New Zealand A, raising fresh questions about his form ahead of India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
The second match began in Christchurch on October 31. After winning the toss, New Zealand A elected to bowl first. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan walked out to open the innings for India A, but the start turned disappointing almost immediately.
Why Is Yashasvi Jaiswal Struggling in New Zealand?
India A suffered an early setback in the very first over when Jaiswal was caught by Fraser Sheat after scoring just zero off four deliveries.
This was particularly concerning because it marked his third consecutive unsuccessful innings in red-ball cricket during the current New Zealand tour.
In the first four-day match against New Zealand A, Jaiswal managed only 17 runs in the first innings and five in the second. His latest duck has further increased the pressure on the young opener.
Poor Form Started Before the New Zealand Tour
Jaiswal’s struggles are not limited to the ongoing series. His red-ball form had already come under scrutiny before leaving India.
While representing Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh, he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings. His recent performances suggest that he needs to regain consistency before the upcoming international assignment.
Just 21 Runs in the Last Four Red-Ball Innings
Jaiswal has scored only 21 runs across his last four red-ball innings, with two of those innings ending without opening his account.
For a batter expected to play a key role at the top of India’s Test batting order, this run of low scores is a concern. If the poor form continues, the team management may have to reconsider its opening combination.
Could Sai Sudharsan Replace Jaiswal as India’s Test Opener?
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to be among India’s opening options for the Test series against New Zealand. However, Jaiswal’s recent performances could give the selectors a reason to explore alternatives.
Sai Sudharsan is one possible option. The left-handed batter opened alongside Jaiswal in the second match against New Zealand A and scored 41 runs. He also impressed in the first four-day match, scoring 91 runs while batting at number four.
Sudharsan’s performances could strengthen his case for a bigger role. However, a change in India’s Test opening pair is not confirmed, and the team management will consider overall form, conditions and team requirements before making a decision.
Jaiswal remains an important part of India’s Test plans, but his performances in the remaining matches against New Zealand A could be crucial in determining how the team approaches its opening combination.