Former India captain Anil Kumble expressed his disappointment over Yashasvi Jaiswal’s shot selection after the young opener fell cheaply on Day 4 of the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati. India, chasing an enormous target of 549 runs, ended Day 2 under huge pressure at 27 for 2, losing both openers before stumps. Jaiswal, who played a fearless knock in the first innings, lasted only a short while at the crease before gifting his wicket to South African all-rounder Marco Jansen.
"It was a poor shot from Yashasvi Jaiswal. They certainly tested both the openers, and Jaiswal in particular got a lot of short-pitched deliveries from Marco Jansen. Eventually, he fell playing his favourite cut shot — a shot he has scored many runs from, but also gets out to. He was trying to force the pace and ended up getting out to Jansen," Kumble said on JioHotstar.
"When you're looking to score runs and when short deliveries keep coming, you feel that's the only scoring option. Even the first ball Jaiswal faced in this innings was a short one that hit his glove. The transfer of weight has to happen when you play the cut shot. Unfortunately for Jaiswal, the ball took the outside edge and went straight to the wicketkeeper."
India, who already lost the first game at Eden Gardens, are hoping to make their comeback to level the series 1-1. Jaiswal’s early exit, coupled with KL Rahul’s dismissal, left India in a precarious position on day 4 as they continue their uphill task.