"You cannot be angry with his shot selection" - Ajay Jadeja on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal on Day 3 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja believes Yashasvi Jaiswal cannot be blamed for his shot selection that led to his dismissal in India's second innings of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The left-handed opener danced down the track to play an aggressive shot against Ajaz Patel. However, he missed the ball and was stumped by Tom Blundell behind the wickets.
Jaiswal scored 35 runs off 52 deliveries as India ended Day 3 (Friday, October 18) at 231/3. They lost Virat Kohli's wicket on the last ball of the day and still trail the Kiwis by 125 runs.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja replied in the negative when asked whether he was disappointed with Jaiswal for his shot selection.
"You cannot be angry with his shot selection. You could have been angry if he hadn't played these shots when he scored 200 or 250. It would have been different if he had played that shot in the first over itself. You were definitely in a commanding position," he said.
The former India captain pointed out that both aggressive and defensive approaches can lead to dismissals.
"The momentum you had, if that had stopped after that, I would have definitely been angry because the team would have a thinking. You get out both while attacking and defending. You get out when you miss something," Jadeja observed.
Yashasvi Jaiswal added 72 runs for the first wicket with Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper was unfortunate to be bowled by Ajaz Patel for a 63-ball 52.
"The way Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan played after that, you get an idea that the method was not wrong" - Ajay Jadeja on Yashasvi Jaiswal's approach
In the same discussion, Ajay Jadeja noted that Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan's attacking partnership shows that Yashasvi Jaiswal's approach was not wrong.
"If the team had totally changed their methods after that and had gone defensive, there would have been anger because the team had made some game plans and you did something wrong. However, the way Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan played after that, you get an idea that the method was not wrong," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added the method cannot be dubbed right or wrong based on the result.
"Yes, you made a mistake. You didn't go close to the ball or you missed the flight. You can be emotionally angry there but if you are a player or coach of that team and are angry, then you are deeming it correct if the performance is happening and wrong if it's not happening," Jadeja explained.
Jaiswal struck six fours during his 35-run knock. It was the first time he failed to score a half-century in both innings of a Test match in India.