"In India, that would have gone for four through covers" - Sanjay Manjrekar analyzes Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal on Day 1 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed disappointment over opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal for a duck on Day 1 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test in Perth on Friday, November 22. Manjrekar opined that Jaiswal played a drive to a ball that wasn't the right one for the stroke.
Batting first after winning the toss, India were bowled out for 150 in 49.4 overs in Perth. The visitors got off to a poor start, losing Jaiswal for a duck in the third over of play. The southpaw attempted to drive a full delivery from Mitchell Starc that bounced a little extra and ended up edging the ball to gully.
In a video on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar analyzed the India opener's dismissal and termed his choice of stroke as the wrong one. He commented:
"Most disappointed by the way Jaiswal got out because he's got the game, he's the man in form. A ball that wasn't driving length and he played the big drive on that. As an opener, start of the innings, a more measured, controlled drive is the way to go. And the ball wasn't full. One thing in Australia, when you are driving off the front foot, make sure you are right to the pitch of the ball."
"The extra bounce does this. You nick it off here when the ball is not really full. In India, that would have gone for four through covers and that's the difference," the former India batter went on to add.
Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) top-scored for India in the first innings in Perth, while keeper-batter Rishabh Pant contributed 37.
"Picked the wrong ball" - Manjrekar on Padikkal's 23-ball duck on Day 1 of the Perth Test
Apart from Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, playing in only his second Test was also dismissed for a duck. The left-hander, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill at number three, faced 23 balls in his 39-minute stay but failed to get off the mark.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar opined that Padikkal tried to play a Cheteshwar Pujara-type innings, but felt the pressure of not scoring.
"I liked the approach of Devdutt Padikkal. He wanted to trust his defense, a bit like Pujara. He was there for a number of balls, but in the end it started playing into the hands of the Australian bowlers. Runs weren't coming. It meant that they were free to bowl whatever length that they wanted," Manjrekar said.
"In the end, you also saw Padikkal being conscious of no runs being scored and picked the wrong ball to play a shot that he plays well... Because he had defended so much (he picked the wrong ball)," the 59-year-old added.
While India struggled with the bat, they made a sensational comeback with the ball to reduce Australia to 67-7 by stumps on Day 1. Skipper Jasprit Bumrah led from the front for the visitors, picking up 4-17.