In the world of cricket, Yashasvi Jaiswal and his cuts are frequently discussed. And on Tuesday, during the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Galle, he fell for a three-ball duck after attempting to cut the delivery against Asitha Fernando.
As fast bowlers urge Jaiswal to go for it with cut strokes, it has now established the blueprint for success against him. The narrative has changed since the beginning of India’s 2025 home season, despite the fact that he has experienced a great deal of success while playing the shot.
Jaiswal’s strike rate is the only constant between these two periods, despite variations in his batting average and false short percentage. As a result, it is evident that he is obsessed with the cut shot regardless of how it affects his destiny.
Virat Kohli’s cover drive story is reminiscent of Yashasvi Jaiswal obsession with cut shots.
Kohli’s cover drives, whether they come from the front foot, the back foot, or the step-out-and-step-away inside-out, may be the most calming sight on the cricket pitch. Throughout his remarkable career, he has also scored a significant number of runs using that specific stroke.
But at different stages in his career, the same shot also drew criticism, with many speculating that he might have forgotten how to control himself when a ball was approaching him at the sixth or seventh stump lines.
However, Virat Kohli, who has been the industry’s top player for more than 20 years and has consistently achieved success with the bat, is a figure with the highest audacity. Because of his all-format supremacy, he was uncontested and never ever thought to be replaced, therefore there was no competition for his position.
However, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill are currently chosen for his batting position, and Yashasvi Jaiswal has not even been included in India’s ODI and T20I lineup. Additionally, there is no assurance that he will be able to maintain his spot in Tests if these cut shot problems continue.
The Cut Shot of Yashasvi Jaiswal: Boom and Bust
Yashasvi Jaiswal is still among the finest at playing square cut strokes because of his early success in the Test.
According to Cricinfo, since Yashasvi Jaiswal debut, only Ben Duckett and Travis Head have scored more Test runs while using the square cut than the India opener, who has 226.
It’s interesting to note that Head and Duckett have made numerous false shots in cut shot attempts, much like Jaiswal.
But let’s not overlook the fact that Jaiswal averages 47.53 in Tests after 30 games, totalling 2567 runs, despite his recent slump. He still has a respectable Test record, averaging over 40 after ten innings in both Australia and England.
Nevertheless, he would be closely watched for the second Test between India and Sri Lanka, which is set to begin on August 23 in Colombo, considering his averages of 18.66 in 2026 and 39.21 in 2025 (in 19 innings).
Given that India’s next Test matches will take place in New Zealand in November, Yashasvi Jaiswal needs to demonstrate to the BCCI that he has addressed his infatuation with cut-shots, which has recently caused him more mistakes than successes.
Sachin Tendulkar’s favourite shot was when he made 241 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground in 2004 without using a single cover drive. Jaiswal may use that lesson as motivation to demonstrate to the BCCI selectors that he has the temperament and flexibility to perform in any circumstance. Otherwise, things might quickly deteriorate.
